Just posted this on the BFing board, but wanted to see if any of you had any insight as well:
Hi, Ladies! I'm EBF 12-week-old DD. I have dry skin to begin with, but it's been extremely dry lately, beyond anything I've ever experienced. My skin is clear as a result (no more oily days!). Is this related to BFing? My doc explained how BFing results in super low estrogen, which makes me think that maybe that causes dry skin?? Any ideas? I'm especially interested in this now b/c I have eczema on my lips right now!!! SO uncomfy and all from extreme dryness. I can't figure out why this is all happening now to me, for the first time, except for the fact that I'm a new nursing mom? I'm drinking a TON of water, by the way.
Re: BFing=Eczema and dry skin/lips?
The skin on my belly and legs started flaking off in big flakes the day after I delivered DS (different than the normal dry skin I had before the delivery). I am BF-ing, but since it happened so soon after delivery (before my milk came in) I was assuming it was related to the post-partum drop in hormones.
FWIW, I just googled "dry skin postpartum" and came up with a bunch of links that said it was due to the drop in estrogen, so I guess I was right.
I have also had REALLY dry skin lately - more than my usual very dry skin. My lips are chapped, my hands are peeling and I have patches of little red bumps on my upper arms and parts of my legs. I also drink tons of water and herbal tea...
I'm guessing it is a combination of nursing and winter!