Can breastfeeding cause anxiety?

Understanding the Connection Between Breastfeeding and Anxiety
Breastfeeding is often heralded as a natural and beneficial practice for both mothers and infants. However, the emotional landscape surrounding breastfeeding can be complex, with many mothers experiencing anxiety during this period. While breastfeeding itself does not directly cause anxiety, various factors associated with the experience can contribute to heightened feelings of stress and unease.
The Role of Maternal Anxiety
Research indicates that while breastfeeding is generally seen as a protective factor against postpartum mood disorders, the relationship between maternal anxiety and breastfeeding is nuanced. A systematic review found no significant associations between prenatal anxiety and the initiation or exclusivity of breastfeeding, although the evidence regarding breastfeeding duration remains mixed. This suggests that while anxiety may not prevent mothers from starting to breastfeed, it can influence how long they continue.
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Leigh Anne O’Connor emphasizes that breastfeeding does not inherently cause anxiety. Instead, it is often the surrounding circumstances—such as societal pressures, personal expectations, and the challenges of nursing—that can lead mothers to feel anxious. Many mothers may find themselves overwhelmed by the demands of breastfeeding, which can create a cycle of stress and anxiety.
Emotional Responses During Breastfeeding
Interestingly, some mothers report experiencing negative emotions while breastfeeding, a phenomenon known as breastfeeding aversion and agitation (BAA). A qualitative study revealed that a significant number of mothers experienced feelings of discomfort or anxiety during nursing sessions, which can be attributed to various factors, including physical discomfort or the emotional weight of the breastfeeding experience.
Moreover, the hormonal changes that occur during breastfeeding can also play a role in a mother’s emotional state. For instance, the release of oxytocin during breastfeeding is known to promote bonding and reduce stress. However, if a mother is already experiencing anxiety, the act of breastfeeding may exacerbate her feelings rather than alleviate them.
The Impact of Weaning
The transition away from breastfeeding can also trigger anxiety for some mothers. Author Jo Piazza shared her personal experience of anxiety and depression after stopping breastfeeding her six-month-old son, highlighting how the end of this bonding experience can lead to emotional turmoil. This suggests that the psychological effects of breastfeeding extend beyond the act itself, influencing a mother’s mental health during both breastfeeding and weaning phases.
Strategies for Managing Breastfeeding Anxiety
For mothers who find themselves struggling with anxiety while breastfeeding, there are several strategies that can help ease the stress. These include seeking support from lactation consultants, joining breastfeeding support groups, and practicing mindfulness techniques to stay present during nursing sessions. Understanding that these feelings are common and seeking help can significantly improve the breastfeeding experience.
Conclusion
In summary, while breastfeeding does not directly cause anxiety, the emotional and physical challenges associated with it can lead to heightened feelings of stress for many mothers. By recognizing the complexities of this experience and seeking appropriate support, mothers can navigate their breastfeeding journey with greater confidence and emotional well-being.

Is breastfeeding affecting my mental health?

While breastfeeding is very effective in lowering stress, breastfeeding difficulties can increase stress and this may contribute to developing depression. It is vitally important that women who want to breastfeed get the support they need.

What are the emotional side effects of breastfeeding?

Not everyone has a positive experience with breastfeeding. If you feel negative emotions like anger or sadness when your milk lets down, you may have D-MER, or dysphoric milk ejection reflex. You’re not alone, you did nothing to cause it and there’s nothing “wrong” with you.

What are the negative effects of breastfeeding?

5 Side Effects of Breastfeeding

• Back Pain: Think about it—you’re hunched over your baby, in an awkward position.
• Bruising: Yep, your little tike can cause some big bruises on your breasts.
• Carpal Tunnel: Carpal tunnel syndrome can be a problem for pregnant women, but it can also be a problem post-birth.

Why does nursing give me so much anxiety?

One common reason for nurse anxiety is the ever-changing standards of patient care. The nursing profession is constantly changing. What was best practice yesterday may be poor practice tomorrow. As a traveling nurse, I have noticed that one facility’s basic standard of care may be foreign to another.

How long does post-breastfeeding anxiety last?

This is sometimes known as the ‘baby blues’ and usually only lasts for a few days. Having anxious thoughts and worries now and again are natural, particularly in the early weeks after having a baby.

Does stopping breastfeeding help anxiety?

You can experience emotional difficulties no matter how long you’ve been breastfeeding and whether you are stopping voluntarily or not. According to a Norwegian study1 of more than 40,000 breastfeeding women, ceasing nursing – either on purpose or otherwise – can increase the risk of anxiety and depression.

Can hormones from breastfeeding cause anxiety?

Ours is the first study to our knowledge to measure oxytocin response to the physiologic trigger of breastfeeding among mothers with lower vs. higher mood symptoms. Our findings associating lower oxytocin with higher anxiety and depression suggest that oxytocin dysregulation may contribute to perinatal mood disorders.

Why does breastfeeding give me anxiety?

It’s a physiological (read: not mental) response to your body releasing milk, and can bring on feelings of intense sadness, despair, anxiety and more as you’re starting to nurse your baby.

Why does nursing give me anxiety?

The National Institutes of Occupational Safety and Health lists the most common factors linked to nursing stress, including: Work overload. Time pressure. Lack of support.

Why do I feel weird while breastfeeding?

Dysphoric milk ejection reflex is described as a flood of negative emotions during breastfeeding that corresponds specifically to milk letdown (milk ejection). Usually , the feelings come right before the milk lets down and continue for a few minutes after.