Hormonal changes after birth can make your insulin more sensitive, causing your blood sugar to drop faster than usual. When that happens, your brain sends a quick signal for something sweet. But while sugar craving during breastfeeding is normal, understanding why these cravings hit can help you handle them better.
1. Lack of Sleep
When you’ve got a newborn, proper sleep feels like a dream, right? Lack of sleep doesn't just make you tired but also makes you crave sugar. When you don’t rest well, your body releases more cortisol, which is a stress hormone. That makes you want quick energy like sweets or biscuits.Your brain starts linking sugar with feeling better, and that cycle gets tough to break. So start your morning with a big glass of water and a balanced breakfast to keep your blood sugar steady and cravings low.
2. Nutrient Deficiencies
Busy days make it easy to skip proper meals. This may lead to deficiencies in key minerals like magnesium and chromium. These nutrients help keep your blood sugar steady, and when they drop, your body starts craving sugar for a quick boost.Fresh fruits and veggies naturally give you what you need, while processed snacks just fill you up without real nutrition. In the early months, supplements might help after talking to a doctor.
3. Not Enough Protein in Your Diet
Protein is very important after childbirth. It helps your body recover and supports your baby’s growth through milk. When you don’t eat enough of it and rely more on simple carbs, your blood sugar rises and drops fast. That’s when sugar craving during breastfeeding sneaks in, and you reach for comfort food. Try adding protein to every meal like eggs, chicken, tofu, beans, lentils, greens, milk, cheese, or nuts.4. Skipping Meals
When you’re breastfeeding, your body needs steady fuel. Aim for three proper meals and two snacks a day to keep up with the calorie burn. If you skip them, your hormones get out of balance and your blood sugar drops, making you crave high-calorie sweets.Skipping meals can cause overeating later and make you think about food all the time. So instead of counting calories, fill your plate with real, nourishing food like lean proteins, veggies, fruits, and whole grains.
5. Stress, Sleep Deprivation, and Low Fibre Intake
Life with a newborn can feel exhausting at first. The tiredness and worry make you reach for carbs that give a quick mood lift or energy rush. But the problem is, these foods give a short burst of energy, then drop you right back into fatigue and hunger again.One big reason this happens is the lack of fibre in your meals. When you don’t eat enough fibre, your stomach empties faster, so you feel hungry soon after eating. On the other hand, fibre from fruits, vegetables, oats, or beans slows down digestion, keeping you full for longer.
To feel satisfied and keep those sugar cravings under control, try pairing fibre-rich foods with protein.
6. Low Sun Exposure and Vitamin D Deficiency
After giving birth, you probably spend most of your time indoors. This means less sunlight, and that can drop your vitamin D levels. Low vitamin D is actually linked to stronger sugar cravings because it affects serotonin, the hormone that helps stabilise your mood.During pregnancy, your body already uses up a lot of its vitamin D stores, and if you’re not getting enough sun now, recovery can take even longer. Try to step outside for a bit of natural light whenever you can, even if it’s just a short walk with your baby.
How Sugar Affects Breast Milk and Baby
Your milk naturally contains healthy sugars that give your little one energy and help their brain develop. But when you eat too much added sugar, especially fructose from syrups or sweetened drinks, some of it can pass into your breast milk. These refined sugars don’t offer any real benefit to your baby.Experts have found that high sugar intake during breastfeeding can be linked to lower cognitive scores by age two. This might happen because excess sugar causes stress or inflammation in the brain, which can interfere with healthy growth. It can also influence how your baby’s body stores fat.
Over time, this pattern may raise the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart issues, and liver problems later in life.
Sugar cravings during breastfeeding are your body’s way of asking for more fuel and recovery support. Instead of fighting them, listen to what they’re telling you. Focus on balanced meals, get rest whenever you can, and make small, smart food swaps.
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FAQs on Why Do Moms Crave Sugar While Breastfeeding
- Will sugar cravings go away after I stop breastfeeding?
Yes, most mums notice cravings ease once breastfeeding ends. This is because hormone levels return to normal, reducing the urge for sweets. - Should I completely cut sugar while breastfeeding?
No, cutting it out fully isn’t necessary. It’s better to limit refined sugar and choose natural sources.