Women & Migraine: Part 3 Postpartum and Breastfeeding
If you're a new parent living with migraine, you're not alone—and you're not without options.
Many experience fewer migraine attacks during pregnancy. But after birth, things often shift. Hormones drop. Sleep is disrupted. Emotional demands increase. And for many, migraine attacks return.
Why It Happens
Right after delivery, estrogen levels fall sharply. This hormonal change can trigger migraine attacks within hours of birth.
Combined with exhaustion, insomnia, and emotional stress, this makes the postpartum period especially vulnerable for those with migraine.
The Role of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can actually help prevent migraine attacks.
While nursing, hormone levels remain more stable. Ovulation and menstruation are delayed. This can reduce the frequency of attacks during the time you're breastfeeding.
What’s Safe to Take?
Several medications that weren’t safe during pregnancy can be resumed while nursing.
Safe options include:
- NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, ketorolac)
- Anti-nausea meds (Zofran, Reglan)
- Triptans (sumatriptan, rizatriptan)
- Gepants (Nurtec, Ubrelvy, Qulipta)
- Supplements (magnesium, riboflavin)
Use the LactMed database to confirm what's safe for your specific treatment plan.
What to Avoid
These are not recommended while breastfeeding:
- Adult-strength aspirin (risk of Reye’s syndrome)
- Opioids and barbiturates (can cause infant sedation and are not effective for migraine management)
Tips for Treating Migraine While Nursing
- Time medications right after feeding
- Freeze extra milk for flexibility
- Use medications with short half-lives
- Watch your baby’s behavior for any changes
You Don’t Have to Choose Between Relief and Nursing
You can safely manage migraine while breastfeeding. With the right support and evidence-based care, you don’t need to sacrifice your well-being.
At Haven Headache, we’re here to help.
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