Headache while breastfeeding: what to know

Feeds and night waking can leave you short of sleep, food or fluids. Neck and shoulder strain from positioning the baby, eye strain and tension can also cause head pain. Hormonal shifts after birth may change an existing migraine pattern. A headache can occur alongside a cold, sinus symptoms or an illness such as COVID-19; the symptom does not identify which cause is present. If you recently had an epidural or spinal procedure, tell the clinician whether pain is worse when sitting or standing and better when lying down.

Keep water and a nourishing snack within reach during feeds, rest when possible and support your back and arms with pillows. Change positions regularly and relax your jaw and shoulders. Before taking a pain medicine, check with a pharmacist or clinician that it suits breastfeeding, your health conditions and any other medicines; do not rely on a leftover prescription. Note timing, relation to feeds, sleep, food, fluids, blood pressure if available and associated symptoms. Arrange review when headaches recur, interfere with caring for your baby or do not improve with rest and fluids.

Seek emergency care for a sudden severe headache, fainting, seizure, confusion, weakness, trouble speaking, vision loss, fever with a stiff neck, chest symptoms or repeated vomiting. After birth, urgent assessment is also needed for severe headache with high blood pressure, facial or hand swelling, upper abdominal pain or breathlessness. If you cannot keep fluids down or feel very unwell, seek prompt advice; Dehydration can worsen headache and requires attention.

Which pain-relief options fit breastfeeding and my medical history? Could my posture, blood pressure, recent delivery or spinal procedure explain the pattern? When should I be checked urgently if the pain returns?