Are afterpains experienced after breastfeeding, normal?

Afterpains during the early days of breastfeeding feel like contractions or period pains but are absolutely normal. The oxytocin your body receives to trigger the milk let-down also causes the uterus to contract, helping it to shrink back efficiently, which is Mother Nature’s beneficial way of helping your uterus to return to its pre-pregnancy size (of a fist), and subsequently reduce your lochia discharge. Paracetamol, ibuprofen and heat packs (e.g. hot-water bottle) can be useful because, heck, they can hurt. Herbal teas of mother-wort, false unicorn and shepherd’s purse can also help.