Tingling in breasts is one of the changes your body goes through during pregnancy to accommodate the baby. Even before you give birth, your body prepares your breasts for breastfeeding. Breast milk will be your baby’s sole source of nutrition during the first six months of their life. Therefore, breast milk is produced around the clock by the milk ducts (lactiferous ducts) and brain hormones. This could be the cause of the tingling sensation in your breasts. Read this post to know why your breasts tingle during breastfeeding, if it is normal, what creates this sensation, and how to deal with it.
What Causes Tingling In Breasts While Breastfeeding?
Tingling in the breasts is caused by the milk ejection reflex, which is also called milk let-down (1). The sensation feels like “pins & needles,” and it is one of the first signs that the milk is released (2). Breasts may also feel warm or cold during milk let-down. Milk ejection reflex occurs when the pituitary gland releases two hormones namely prolactin and oxytocin. Prolactin stimulates breast milk production, while Oxytocin causes the milk ducts to contract and release the milk. The ejection of the milk down the ducts is called milk let-down (3). Several physiological changes in the breast tissue during milk letdown can lead to tingling within the breasts.
Is It Normal For Breasts To Tingle During Lactation?
Yes. Most breastfeeding moms experience tingling due to milk let-down. However, tingling could happen due to other reasons as well.
What Other Reasons Cause The Tingling?
Other factors such as an infection like mastitis or thrush may cause tingling along with a burning sensation and pain in the breasts. Tingling is often a direct symptom of a rare form of breast cancer called Paget’s disease of the breast (4). Paget’s disease causes other symptoms like the reddening of the nipple and intense itching of the areola. The other reasons for tingling are usually persistent while let-down reflex occurs in fixed cycles. Also, tingling due to milk let-down is less likely to be uncomfortable when compared to the tingling caused by an underlying health problem. But you may have to see a physician in some cases.
When Should You See A Doctor For Tingling In Breasts?
See a doctor when you have the following symptoms along with tingling:
Burning sensation Change in the shape of the nipple Reddening of the nipple; development of an eczema-like rash on or around the areola Lump in the breast or dimpling of the breasts Nipple discharge; a non-milk liquid oozing out of the nipple Pain in the breasts
You must also see a doctor when you are unable to breastfeed due to the tingling sensation in the breasts. More often than not, tingling during lactation is a sign of milk ejection reflex instead of any other problem. Regular tingling due to the milk let-down is quite manageable right at home.
How To Manage Tingling Of Breasts At Home?
A few simple home remedies can help you deal with the tingling of the breasts: Try to establish a routine gradually. Once you have a fixed schedule, things get more comfortable. Your breast milk production and let-down align with the baby’s feeding pattern thus mitigating any discomfort caused by it. Did you experience tingling while breastfeeding? Tell us how you dealt with the condition in the comment section below.
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