Can breastfeeding make you moody?

The Emotional Landscape of Breastfeeding: Understanding Mood Changes
Breastfeeding is often celebrated for its numerous benefits, both for the infant and the mother. However, it can also bring about unexpected emotional challenges. Many mothers report experiencing mood swings or feelings of agitation during breastfeeding, a phenomenon that has garnered increasing attention in recent years.
Breastfeeding Aversion and Agitation
One of the lesser-known aspects of breastfeeding is the occurrence of breastfeeding aversion and agitation (BAA). This condition can manifest as feelings of discomfort or irritability while nursing, particularly in mothers who are tandem feeding—nursing both a newborn and an older child—or those who are pregnant while breastfeeding. Although this area is not extensively researched, anecdotal evidence suggests that these feelings can be quite distressing for some women.
Hormonal Influences on Mood
The hormonal changes that accompany breastfeeding can significantly impact a mother’s emotional state. During lactation, the body produces various hormones, including oxytocin and prolactin, which are crucial for milk production and bonding with the baby. While oxytocin is often referred to as the “love hormone” for its role in promoting feelings of attachment and relaxation, it can also lead to emotional fluctuations. Some mothers may experience what is known as dysphoric milk ejection, where the release of milk is accompanied by feelings of sadness or anxiety.
The Psychological Impact of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can also trigger a range of psychological responses. The pressure to breastfeed, societal expectations, and personal experiences can create a complex emotional landscape. For some mothers, the act of breastfeeding may evoke feelings of inadequacy or frustration, especially if they encounter difficulties such as latching issues or low milk supply. These challenges can lead to heightened emotional responses, including mood swings and feelings of sadness.
Positive and Negative Mental Health Outcomes
Research indicates that breastfeeding can have both positive and negative effects on mental health. While many mothers report feelings of joy and fulfillment from breastfeeding, others may experience stress and anxiety. The emotional toll can be exacerbated by external factors such as lack of support, sleep deprivation, and the physical demands of caring for a newborn.
Conclusion: Navigating the Emotional Journey
In summary, while breastfeeding is often associated with positive bonding experiences, it can also lead to mood changes and emotional challenges for some mothers. Understanding the physiological and psychological factors at play can help mothers navigate this complex emotional journey. It is essential for new mothers to seek support and communicate openly about their feelings, as this can significantly impact their breastfeeding experience and overall mental health.

What is dysregulated breastfeeding?

Because a vigorous sucking pattern without stopping is a new descriptor for a dysregulated breastfeeding pattern, this study has identified a behavior that—if future research is supportive—care providers and lactation specialists should assess.

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 is my baby grumpy while breastfeeding?

One cause of infant fussiness during breastfeeding is abnormal breast milk flow, either too rapid or too slow. If the flow is too rapid, the baby may struggle to swallow the milk, leading to discomfort from choking and subsequent crying.

What are the side effects of breastfeeding?

Common breastfeeding problems

• Sore or cracked nipples. Sore nipples usually happens because your baby is not well positioned and attached at the breast.
• Not enough breast milk.
• Breast engorgement.
• Baby is not latching on properly.
• Too much breast milk.
• Breastfeeding and thrush.
• Blocked milk duct.
• Mastitis.

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.

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.

Can breastfeeding hormones make you angry?

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.

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 cause mood swings?

Contrary to assertions that breastfeeding prevents postpartum depression,29 we found that exclusive breastfeeding at 2 weeks was associated with increased mood symptoms at 8 weeks in our sample. Other authors have reported associations between lactogenic hormones and maternal mood.

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.