Can breastfeeding cause mood swings?

The Emotional Landscape of Breastfeeding: Understanding Mood Swings
Breastfeeding is often celebrated for its numerous benefits, both for the infant and the mother. However, the emotional toll it can take on new mothers is less frequently discussed. Many women report experiencing mood swings during their breastfeeding journey, a phenomenon that can be attributed to a complex interplay of hormonal, psychological, and physical factors.
Hormonal Influences
One of the primary drivers of mood changes during breastfeeding is the fluctuation of hormones. The act of breastfeeding triggers the release of oxytocin, often referred to as the “love hormone.” This hormone plays a crucial role in bonding and emotional well-being. However, the neuroendocrine response associated with breastfeeding can vary significantly among women. Research indicates that mothers experiencing postpartum depression may have a diminished oxytocin response, which can exacerbate feelings of sadness or anxiety during breastfeeding sessions.
Moreover, the transition into motherhood is marked by significant hormonal shifts. Estrogen and progesterone levels drop after childbirth, which can lead to mood instability. This hormonal rollercoaster can leave mothers feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or even depressed, particularly in the early postpartum period.
Breastfeeding Aversion and Agitation
Interestingly, some mothers report experiencing a phenomenon known as breastfeeding aversion and agitation (BAA). This condition can manifest as feelings of irritation or discomfort during breastfeeding, which may lead to emotional distress. While this area is still under-researched, it highlights that breastfeeding is not always a serene experience and can trigger negative emotions in some women, particularly those who are tandem feeding or breastfeeding while pregnant.
The Impact of Weaning
The emotional landscape can shift dramatically when a mother begins to wean her child. The process of transitioning from breastfeeding to formula or solid foods involves significant hormonal and physiological changes that can lead to mood swings. As the body adjusts to the decrease in breastfeeding, mothers may experience feelings of loss or sadness, which can further complicate their emotional state. This transition period is often marked by a mix of relief and grief, as mothers navigate their changing roles and the end of a significant bonding experience.
Psychological Effects and Support
The psychological effects of breastfeeding extend beyond the immediate experience. While breastfeeding can foster a deep emotional connection between mother and child, it can also bring to the surface underlying mental health issues. The stress and fatigue associated with caring for a newborn, combined with the demands of breastfeeding, can lead to heightened anxiety and mood swings.
Support systems play a crucial role in helping mothers manage these emotional challenges. Open conversations with healthcare providers, family, and friends can provide the necessary encouragement and understanding. Additionally, recognizing that mood swings are a common experience can help normalize the emotional ups and downs that many mothers face during this period.
In conclusion, while breastfeeding is often associated with positive emotions and bonding, it can also lead to significant mood swings due to hormonal changes, psychological factors, and the challenges of motherhood. Understanding these dynamics is essential for mothers as they navigate the complexities of breastfeeding and seek the support they need to maintain their emotional well-being.

Does breastfeeding worsen anxiety?

Breastfeeding releases a chemical called oxytocin. It can cause you to feel less stressed and promote a state of calm. Oxytocin can also help you bond with your baby and boost feelings of affection between you and your child.

Can breastfeeding cause hormonal imbalance?

Your body has been through a significant amount of change in a short period of time and is devoting a significant amount of its resources to milk production, and it will likely take some time to return to homeostasis. Additionally, breastfeeding can create hormonal imbalances that you previously had not experienced.

What hormones crash after breastfeeding?

As breastfeeding ends, both prolactin and oxytocin levels will lower – and so may your mood and sense of wellbeing. It may last a few days, or it may go on for longer.

Why does breastfeeding put me in a bad mood?

A little understood phenomenon is Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (D-MER). Mothers suffering from this physiological condition feel intense sadness and low mood from just before a breastfeed and for a couple of minutes of it starting, some experiencing it again with subsequent let downs through the feeding session.

What are the negative effects of breastfeeding too long?

For example, duration of breastfeeding experience has been shown to correlate negatively with parent-reported antisocial and aggressive behavior in children from 4 to 11 years of age [43]. These effects on antisocial behavior appear to extend well beyond childhood into adulthood.

Can breastfeeding cause anger issues?

Breastfeeding aversion, simply put, is when negative emotions and feelings are triggered during a breastfeeding session. The emotions can span from irritability and frustration to rage or disgust.

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.

Can breastfeeding cause irritability?

Breastfeeding or Nursing Aversion (aversion) is when breastfeeding appears to trigger particular negative emotions like anger and agitation, skin-crawling sensations and an overwhelming urge to de-latch.

Does breastfeeding mess with your hormones?

The production of prolactin can also inhibit the hormones that are responsible for ovulation, so you may notice that you don’t get your period if you’re exclusively breastfeeding.

Can breastfeeding affect your mood?

Women are often told to expect that breast-feeding will bring about warm and fuzzy feelings, thanks to the bonding hormone oxytocin — and most of the time, that’s true. But it’s in stark contrast to what women with D-MER might feel, which can range from sadness to anger to hopelessness.