Does breastfeeding change your mood?

The Emotional Landscape of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is often celebrated for its numerous physical health benefits for both mother and child, but its emotional and psychological impacts are equally significant and complex. Research indicates that breastfeeding can influence a mother’s mood in various ways, leading to both positive and negative emotional experiences.
Positive Emotional Responses
For many mothers, breastfeeding can foster a profound sense of connection with their newborns. The act of nursing releases oxytocin, often referred to as the “love hormone,” which promotes feelings of bonding and affection. This neuroendocrine response can enhance maternal mood, creating a nurturing environment that benefits both mother and child. The physical closeness during breastfeeding can also provide emotional comfort, helping mothers feel more secure and fulfilled in their parenting role.
Moreover, breastfeeding is frequently associated with a sense of accomplishment and empowerment. Many mothers report that successfully breastfeeding their infants boosts their self-esteem and reinforces their maternal identity. This positive feedback loop can contribute to overall emotional well-being during the postpartum period.
The Dark Side: Breastfeeding Aversion and Mood Swings
However, breastfeeding is not universally a positive experience. Some mothers experience breastfeeding aversion and agitation (BAA), particularly when nursing while pregnant or tandem feeding. This phenomenon can lead to feelings of frustration and resentment, which may negatively impact a mother’s mood. The emotional toll of these feelings can be compounded by the physical demands of breastfeeding, leading to stress and anxiety.
Additionally, the transition away from breastfeeding—known as weaning—can trigger significant mood changes. As mothers stop breastfeeding, they may experience hormonal fluctuations that can lead to feelings of sadness or irritability. This period can be particularly challenging, as it involves not only physiological changes but also emotional adjustments to a new parenting dynamic.
The Role of Mental Health
The relationship between breastfeeding and mental health is intricate. While breastfeeding can provide emotional benefits, it can also be a source of stress and anxiety for some mothers. Factors such as breastfeeding self-efficacy—the confidence in one’s ability to breastfeed—play a crucial role in shaping a mother’s emotional experience. Low self-efficacy can lead to increased stress and negative feelings about breastfeeding.
Moreover, postpartum depression is linked to reduced breastfeeding duration, suggesting that mental health challenges can influence a mother’s ability to engage in breastfeeding. This connection underscores the importance of addressing mental health in discussions about breastfeeding, as emotional well-being is a critical component of the breastfeeding experience.
Conclusion
In summary, breastfeeding can significantly influence a mother’s mood, offering both emotional rewards and challenges. While it can enhance feelings of bonding and self-worth, it can also lead to stress, agitation, and mood swings, particularly during weaning. Understanding these dynamics is essential for supporting mothers through their breastfeeding journeys, ensuring they receive the emotional and psychological support they need during this transformative time.

Can breastfeeding make you feel off?

While breastfeeding is associated with maternal mood and postpartum depression, it is difficult to know whether it is breastfeeding or maternal mood or affect that is driving (causing) the effects due to the complex relation between breastfeeding and maternal mood and affect.

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.”

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.

Why is stopping breastfeeding so emotional?

Prolactin produces a feeling of well-being, calmness and relaxation, while oxytocin is known as the “love hormone,” and creates those warm and fuzzy feelings. The sudden drop in these hormones can truly cause some to feel a rollercoaster of emotions.

Why do I get so angry while breastfeeding?

Dysphoric milk ejection reflex, or D-MER, is a condition that affects people who breastfeed (chest feed) or pump milk. It causes sudden and intense negative emotions just before you “let down” or release milk. It’s quick and lasts just a minute or two.

What is the best age to stop breastfeeding?

The World Health Organization recommends that all babies be exclusively breastfed for 6 months, then gradually introduced to appropriate foods after 6 months while continuing to breastfeed for 2 years or beyond. Stopping breastfeeding is called weaning. It is up to you and your baby to decide when the time is right.

What does breastfeeding do to a woman’s hormones?

On top of that, breastfeeding mimics menopause due to the production of the milk-producing hormone, prolactin, temporarily blocking estrogen production, which keeps your estrogen levels low (1). Decreased estrogen levels impact vaginal tissue, temporarily decreasing elasticity, blood flow, and thinning of the tissue.

What happens to a woman’s body when they stop breastfeeding?

Some might experience headaches or migraines, while others feel exhausted or even dizzy immediately after weaning. Another common post-weaning issue? Acne. Big hormone changes can really throw your body for a loop.

What happens to your hormones when you stop 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 don’t I enjoy breastfeeding anymore?

It is not uncommon to have negative feelings around breastfeeding. Breastfeeding / Nursing Aversion and Agitation (BAA) – this is more around the whole of breastfeeding/pumping and can last longer but usually go away when you are not thinking about nursing or actually nursing. Hope that helps! Cheers!