Migraine, Headaches & Breastfeeding
During breastfeeding, some women experience migraine attacks again. Find out why this happens and what you can do about it here.
Reading time: 9 minutes
Last updated: February 18, 2024
What you will learn in this article
Most women experience an improvement in migraines during pregnancy. The attacks become less frequent, less painful, or even disappear entirely.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t that lucky in the first six months of my pregnancy, but at least I found relief in the last three months. In my article about migraines during pregnancy, I also share how I managed the pain without medication.
My biggest fear, however, was experiencing a migraine during childbirth—but luckily, that didn’t happen. Since breastfeeding can also have a positive effect on migraines, I naturally hoped that my attacks would improve during the breastfeeding period. Especially because my mother’s migraines completely disappeared after she gave birth to me.
Migraine Trigger: Hormonal Fluctuations in the Postpartum Period
Giving birth is one of the most emotional and physically exhausting moments in a woman’s life. It takes time for the tissue to heal, the uterus to return to its normal state, and for the experiences to be processed. During the postpartum period, hormones and emotions can fluctuate wildly. In the first few weeks after birth, my body was busy healing, recovering, and adjusting.
These hormonal fluctuations can also trigger tension headaches and migraine attacks. Some women who were migraine-free during pregnancy experience attacks again during the postpartum period. Medical experts suspect that this might be due to the increased release of the hormone prolactin, which is responsible for milk production.
Headaches, Migraine & Breastfeeding
Many women with migraines experience a decrease in severity and frequency of their headache or migraine attacks during breastfeeding. According to Christian Albring, President of the Professional Association of Gynecologists:
For many migraine patients, breastfeeding has a positive effect on the condition, which is why it is generally recommended.
However, this is not the case for everyone. Some women experience additional attacks due to the hormonal fluctuations associated with breastfeeding. As is often the case with migraines and headaches, the experience is highly individual.
Migraine-Free Months After Birth
For two and a half months after giving birth, I was completely migraine-free—aside from one aura I experienced seven weeks postpartum.
I was at my gynecologist for a follow-up check-up. Just as I was about to head home, I noticed a small, flickering spot in my left eye. Within a few minutes, the spot grew into a zigzag-shaped, white-blue flashing semicircle that I could see with both open and closed eyes. This sensation initially terrified me. However, after about 30 minutes, the aura disappeared—thankfully without any pain or nausea.
Migraine Medication During Breastfeeding
Just like during pregnancy, it is recommended to avoid medication for migraine treatment during breastfeeding whenever possible and to opt for gentler alternatives.
If pain relief is absolutely necessary, Ibuprofen or Paracetamol are the first-choice medications. In exceptional cases—and only under medical supervision—Sumatriptan may be taken. However, any medication should always be discussed with a doctor.
Migraine Relief through Personalized Nutrition
- Medication Free
- Side Effect Free
- Based on Science
Alternative Measures for Migraine During Breastfeeding
Regular exercise, a balanced lifestyle, structured mealtimes, and relaxation techniques can help prevent migraines and reduce the frequency and severity of attacks.
Regularity
Maintaining a structured routine is beneficial for managing migraines. While consistent sleep is often a luxury during breastfeeding, keeping regular bedtime routines and mealtimes can help. A headache diary (whether analog, digital, or via an app) is useful for tracking potential triggers.
Nutrition: Avoiding Severe Blood Sugar Fluctuations
New research suggests a link between blood sugar metabolism and migraine. Strong fluctuations in blood sugar levels after meals can contribute to migraine attacks in multiple ways. A low-glycemic diet that keeps blood sugar stable can be an effective migraine prevention strategy.
Ebby supports this approach. During a test phase, the app, along with a blood glucose sensor, helps determine how your blood sugar reacts to your favorite meals. Based on this data, you receive personalized dietary recommendations to stabilize your blood sugar.
Since blood sugar levels can respond differently during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and beyond, it may be helpful to repeat the test phase in different life stages. The app can be re-prescribed every three months.
Relaxation Exercises
Relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training, and breathing meditation can relieve muscle tension, lower stress hormones, and support the body’s natural pain defenses.
Endurance Sports
Endurance activities like swimming, cycling, walking, or light jogging can help prevent migraine and headache attacks. However, these methods are only effective if practiced regularly over a longer period.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been shown to be effective for migraine relief during pregnancy and breastfeeding and can be used safely.
Magnesium
High-dose magnesium is safe to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It relaxes muscles, reduces inflammation, stabilizes blood pressure, and calms the nervous system. Cooling compresses, gentle facial massages, and essential oils (such as peppermint or lavender oil) can also provide relief.
Essential Oils – Warning!
Essential oils can be dangerous for babies! I have always found Olbas oil—a mixture of peppermint, cajeput, and eucalyptus oils—helpful for migraines. During pregnancy, alongside magnesium, it was the only remedy that helped me fall asleep despite the pain.
However, I unknowingly continued using it while breastfeeding, until my baby developed a dry, irritated cough. After consulting my midwife and pediatrician, I learned that essential oils like eucalyptus, menthol, thyme, camphor, pine, or turpentine oil—often found in cold remedies—can cause severe health issues in babies and young children.
Even tiny amounts of undiluted essential oils near a baby’s mouth or nose can irritate the airways and potentially cause life-threatening laryngeal spasms or respiratory arrest.
Although I was careful not to apply the oil directly near my baby, the scent in the air was enough to trigger a reaction. Needless to say, Olbas oil is now banned from our home, and my baby’s cough disappeared.
Migraine and Breastfeeding: Pure Torture!
People often ask me what it’s like to have migraines while taking care of a newborn. I tell them:
Imagine having excruciating pain, as if someone is pounding your head with a hammer in sync with your heartbeat—over and over. Light burns your eyes, sounds hurt your ears. You feel nauseous and vomit. You finally pass out from exhaustion.
Then your baby cries. Loudly. It’s hungry. You wake up, the pain returns, and the hammering continues. You pass out again—only to be awakened by your crying baby every two hours…
The Benefits of Weaning
After six months of breastfeeding, we are slowly introducing solid foods and replacing some feedings with purees.
As much as I love breastfeeding and the intimate moments with my baby, I’m also looking forward to regaining control over my pain management. Soon, I will finally be able to take pain relief medication again instead of enduring unbearable migraine attacks.
Sources
- Bernecker C. et al. (2011): Oxidative stress is associated with migraine and migraine-related metabolic risk in females. In: European Journal of Neurology, 18(10), S.1233-9.
- Gruber, H.-J. et al. (2010): Hyperinsulinaemia in Migraineurs Is Associated with Nitric Oxide Stress. In: Cephalalgia30 (5), S. 593–98. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2982.2009.02012.x.
- Siva, Z.O. et al. (2018): Determinants of Glucose Metabolism and the Role of NPY in the Progression of Insulin Resistance in Chronic Migraine. In: Cephalalgia38 (11), S. 1773–81. https://doi.org/10.1177/0333102417748928.
- Yilmaz, N. et al. (2011): Impaired Oxidative Balance and Association of Blood Glucose, Insulin and HOMA-IR Index in Migraine. In: Biochem. Med., 21, S. 145–151.
- Bongiovanni, D. et al. (2021): Effectiveness of Ketogenic Diet in Treatment of Patients with Refractory Chronic Migraine. In: Neurol Sci, doi:10.1007/s10072-021-05078-5.
- Evcili, G. et al. (2018): Early and long period follow-up results of low glycemic index diet for migraine prophylaxis. In: Agri.30(1), S. 8-11. doi: 10.5505/agri.2017.62443.
- Razeghi, J. S. et al. (2019): Association of diet and headache. In: Journal of Headache and Pain, 20(1), S. 106. doi:10.1186/s10194-019-1057-1.
About the Author
Mona Kattwinkel
Mona is a student, a young mother and, last but not least, a migraine expert. She has had migraines since she was 8 years old and is a member of a self-help group within the MigräneLiga e.V. Germany.