The sensation of feeling cold or experiencing shivers, often called “nursing chills,” during or immediately following breastfeeding is a surprisingly common experience for many parents. This phenomenon can feel sudden and intense, sometimes even resembling the onset of a fever, leading to understandable concern. The cold feeling is typically a normal, temporary physiological response to the complex cascade of hormones involved in the milk-ejection process.
How Hormones Affect Body Temperature During Nursing
The primary mechanism behind this unexpected cold sensation is the rapid release of oxytocin, a hormone that facilitates the milk ejection reflex, or “let-down.” Oxytocin is released in response to the baby’s suckling, causing the tiny muscle cells around the milk-producing alveoli in the breast to contract and push milk forward. This sudden hormonal surge initiates changes throughout the body, not just in the breast tissue.
Oxytocin is known to have a vasodilatory effect, meaning it causes blood vessels, particularly those near the skin’s surface, to widen slightly. This vasodilation increases blood flow to the skin, allowing more heat to escape the body and causing a rapid drop in core body temperature. The body’s immediate reaction to this drop is a shivering response, which is a mechanism to generate heat by involuntary muscle contraction. This explains the characteristic shiver or chill felt right as the milk let-down occurs.
While oxytocin is the direct cause of the temperature shift, another hormone, prolactin, also plays a continuous role in lactation. Prolactin stimulates milk production and remains elevated after feeding, influencing the body’s overall temperature regulation. However, the acute and sudden cold sensation is most closely linked to the transient peak of oxytocin during the milk ejection reflex.
Other Contributors to Feeling Cold
Beyond the direct hormonal effects, several other factors combine to contribute to the feeling of coldness while nursing. Producing breast milk requires a significant amount of energy, increasing the metabolic demand on the body. This high caloric expenditure can lead to a drop in blood sugar or energy levels, which may be perceived as an internal chill similar to feeling cold after a strenuous workout.
The postpartum body is also undergoing massive thermoregulatory adjustments as it recovers from pregnancy and childbirth. Shifts in blood volume and the overall hormonal environment can make the body’s temperature control system more sensitive and less stable in the early months. Sitting still for an extended period, which is necessary during a feeding session, also naturally reduces the body’s heat production.
Environmental elements often exacerbate the issue. Poor hydration can affect the body’s ability to maintain a stable internal temperature, as water is essential for thermal regulation. Sitting in a draft or having exposed skin while wearing minimal clothing can also exacerbate the issue.
It is important for nursing parents to recognize that while temporary chills are common, a sudden, severe chill or shivering accompanied by a high fever (typically over 101°F or 38.3°C) is not a normal nursing chill. These symptoms, especially when combined with breast pain, redness, or flu-like aches, can indicate an infection such as mastitis and require prompt medical attention. The normal hormonal chill is fleeting and not associated with signs of illness.
Simple Ways to Counteract Nursing Shivers
Counteracting the common nursing shivers involves simple, proactive measures focused on warmth and stable energy levels. Keeping a dedicated “nursing station” stocked with warm layers is an effective strategy. This includes having a soft blanket, a warm robe, and thick socks or slippers readily available to put on right before or at the start of a feeding session.
Consuming warm fluids immediately before or during nursing can help raise the internal temperature and provide comfort. A cup of herbal tea or warm broth is a simple way to combat the internal chill associated with the let-down reflex. These warm drinks also contribute to the necessary high fluid intake required for milk production and overall thermal balance.
Ensure consistent and adequate calorie and fluid intake throughout the day to support the body’s elevated metabolic needs. Eating a small snack containing complex carbohydrates and protein just before sitting down to nurse can help prevent the blood sugar dip that contributes to the cold sensation.
By combining external warmth with internal support, the sensation of nursing chills can be minimized.