Can breastfeeding make you feel funny?

Understanding the Emotional Impact of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is often hailed as a natural and beneficial way to nourish infants, but it can also evoke a complex array of emotions and physical sensations in mothers. Many women report feeling “funny” during or after breastfeeding, a term that can encompass a range of feelings from euphoria to anxiety or discomfort. This phenomenon can be attributed to various biological, emotional, and psychological factors.
The Biological Response
Breastfeeding triggers a significant release of hormones in a mother’s body, notably oxytocin and prolactin. Oxytocin, often referred to as the “love hormone,” is responsible for the milk ejection reflex and fosters bonding between mother and child. This surge can lead to feelings of relaxation and happiness, but for some women, it might also cause feelings of being overwhelmed or emotional instability.
Prolactin, on the other hand, promotes milk production but can also affect mood and energy levels. The interplay of these hormones can create a rollercoaster of emotional responses, leading mothers to feel euphoric one moment and anxious the next.
Emotional and Psychological Factors
Beyond the biological responses, the emotional weight of breastfeeding can contribute to feeling “funny.” Many new mothers face pressures related to feeding practices, societal expectations, and personal beliefs about motherhood. The intimate act of breastfeeding can bring about feelings of vulnerability or self-doubt, especially if a mother struggles with latching issues, milk supply, or feelings of inadequacy.
Additionally, postpartum hormonal fluctuations can exacerbate these emotions. After childbirth, many women experience a range of feelings, from joy to sadness, due to hormonal shifts. This emotional volatility can be magnified during breastfeeding, leading to moments where mothers feel off-balance or anxious.
Physical Sensations
Physically, mothers may experience sensations that contribute to feeling “funny.” Some report tingling or a rush of warmth when breastfeeding, while others may experience discomfort or pain due to issues like engorgement or improper latching. These physical sensations can be confusing and may add to the emotional complexity of the experience.
Navigating the Experience
For mothers who find themselves feeling “funny” while breastfeeding, it is essential to remember that these feelings are valid and not uncommon. Seeking support from healthcare professionals, lactation consultants, or peer groups can provide reassurance and guidance. Open conversations about the challenges of breastfeeding can help normalize these experiences and reduce feelings of isolation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the emotional and physical sensations associated with breastfeeding can indeed make mothers feel “funny.” Understanding the underlying biological, emotional, and psychological factors at play can help mothers navigate this complex experience with greater awareness and support. Ultimately, each mother’s journey is unique, and acknowledging the diverse range of feelings that can arise during breastfeeding is crucial for fostering a positive maternal experience.

Why does breastfeeding put me in a bad mood?

“A woman can have a dip in mood from changes in the hormones responsible for lactation, called oxytocin and prolactin,” says Mary Hoffman, an advanced clinician lactation consultant at Sharp Mary Birch. “Oxytocin triggers the letdown reflex that moves the milk, and prolactin promotes milk production.”

Why does breastfeeding make me feel weird?

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.

Is breastfeeding hard on your body?

I’m talking wrist pain, back pain, rib pain, numbness, neck pain, tingling, tight muscles, feeling weak, breathing changes… All these changes to the musculoskeletal system and associated senorimotor cortext of the brain can start during a woman’s breastfeeding career.

Why do I feel different when breastfeeding?

In fact, a woman’s hormones after delivery can play a major role in their breastfeeding experience. “A woman can have a dip in mood from changes in the hormones responsible for lactation, called oxytocin and prolactin,” says Mary Hoffman, an advanced clinician lactation consultant at Sharp Mary Birch.

How long does it take for hormones to balance after breastfeeding?

The return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels can vary greatly, but generally hormones will normalize within three to six months. If you are breastfeeding, as you wean from it, your prolactin and oxytocin levels will drop—potentially leaving you feeling sad, anxious or irritable.

Can breastfeeding make you feel unwell?

Mastitis (inflammation of the breast) happens when a blocked milk duct is not relieved. It makes the breast feel hot and painful, and can make you feel very unwell with flu-like symptoms.

Can breastfeeding make you feel woozy?

After birth, breastfeeding can also reduce your blood sugar levels. This can cause your blood sugar levels to decrease and in turn cause postpartum dizziness.

Why do I feel funny when I breastfeed?

Some mums with D-MER have mild symptoms. For example, they may describe it as a ‘sigh. Others may experience severe symptoms of D-MER (eg suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harm). Symptoms of D-MER may decrease by about 3 months after the birth or they may keep going for as long as the mum is breastfeeding.

Does breastfeeding mess with your emotions?

Breastfeeding has been reported to impact mood and stress reactivity in mothers [55]. Specifically, breastfeeding mothers report reductions in anxiety, negative mood, and stress when compared to formula-feeding mothers [56].

Does breastfeeding zap your energy?

Sometimes you can be doing all the right things like getting adequate water, eating healthy foods and getting adequate rest, and you still feel tired. This is because breastfeeding and making your milk supply can wreak havoc on your nutritional intake, which can cause some serious low energy.