What are the symptoms of breastfeeding aversion?

Understanding Breastfeeding Aversion
Breastfeeding aversion is a complex and often misunderstood phenomenon that affects a significant number of mothers. It is characterized by a range of negative emotions that can arise during breastfeeding sessions, leading to feelings of discomfort and distress. This aversion can manifest in various ways, making it a challenging experience for many women.
Symptoms of Breastfeeding Aversion
Mothers experiencing breastfeeding aversion may encounter a spectrum of intense emotions. These can include:
– Irritability and Frustration: Many women report feeling irritated or frustrated during breastfeeding, which can be surprising given the common perception of breastfeeding as a nurturing experience.

– Rage or Disgust: In more severe cases, feelings can escalate to rage or disgust, creating a stark contrast to the expected bonding moments between mother and child.
– Physical Sensations: Some mothers describe skin-crawling sensations or an overwhelming urge to detach the baby from the breast. This physical response can be visceral and overwhelming, leading to a sense of panic or distress.
– Intrusive Thoughts: Alongside these emotions, mothers may experience intrusive thoughts, such as feeling like a prisoner during breastfeeding or contemplating pushing their child away. This can lead to feelings of guilt and shame, as many women struggle with the disconnect between their feelings and societal expectations of breastfeeding.
– Emotional Turmoil: The emotional landscape of breastfeeding aversion can be tumultuous. Mothers often feel inadequate or ashamed for experiencing these feelings, which can further complicate their breastfeeding journey.
Causes and Context
Breastfeeding aversion is not universally experienced; it is more commonly reported among women who are breastfeeding while pregnant or those who are tandem feeding a newborn and a toddler. The phenomenon is still under-researched, but anecdotal evidence suggests that it can be triggered by various factors, including hormonal changes, stress, and fatigue.
Conclusion
Breastfeeding aversion is a significant yet often overlooked aspect of the breastfeeding experience. It highlights the need for greater awareness and understanding of the emotional complexities that can accompany breastfeeding. For mothers facing these challenges, it is crucial to seek support and recognize that they are not alone in their feelings. Understanding and addressing breastfeeding aversion can lead to a more positive experience for both mother and child.

Does nursing aversion go away?

These thoughts tend to stop when breastfeeding sessions end, although distress from experience can linger. Aversion isn’t just emotional, though. It has a physical component, too.

How to know breastfeeding isn’t for you?

You may find that breastfeeding is uncomfortable or painful, your baby isn’t gaining weight as well as they need to, or you have an inadequate milk supply.

Why does my baby pull away and cry while breastfeeding?

Sometimes, your milk lets down so fast that your baby can have trouble swallowing the amount of milk that’s being released. Because of this, your baby may act fussy at breast or choke and sputter at the breast, and he or she may be quite gassy.

How do I know if my baby has feeding aversion?

Symptoms of food aversion in babies and children are:

1. Reflux.
2. Arched back when feeding.
3. Refusal to eat or drink.
4. Refusal or skipping of meals.
5. Appear hungry but refusal to eat.
6. Fuss or cry when put into a feeding chair or bib around neck.
7. Distressed around mealtimes.
8. Avoidance of particular foods.

What does breastfeeding aversion feel like?

Breastfeeding Aversion Response (BAR) is a feeling of aversion that occurs during the entire duration that the child is latched (translation: mothers report that breastfeeding is exhausting or sickening, or that they feel “touched out,” angry, anxious, violated, guilty, or disconnected).

How do I know if milk is upsetting my stomach?

The signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance usually begin from 30 minutes to two hours after eating or drinking foods that contain lactose. Common signs and symptoms include: Diarrhea. Nausea, and sometimes, vomiting.

How do you know if breast milk is not agreeing with a baby?

MSPI symptoms

​fussiness or excess crying before, during and after a feeding	​stools may be infrequent, watery, have mucous, or be bloody
​reflux	​spitting up
​nasal congestion	​skin rash, eczema, hives, dry skin
​weight loss	​repeated vomiting
​sudden waking with discomfort	​

Why does my baby freak out when I try to breastfeed?

Breastmilk flow could be too fast or too slow
Or do you have so much milk that the baby pulls off and screams as soon as your let-down starts? Your baby likes his milk to flow at a pace that’s comfortable for him. Too fast can be uncomfortable and frightening, and too slow can be frustrating.

How do you fix breastfeeding aversion?

Try feeding your baby in a quiet room with no distractions. Cuddle your baby. Skin-to-skin contact between you and your baby might renew your baby’s interest in breastfeeding. See if your baby will latch on while taking a warm bath together.

How do I know if my breastmilk is upsetting my baby’s stomach?

If symptoms occur such as fussiness, irritability, crying, gas, increased spitting up and/or drawing their legs up due to tummy pain, write down everything you ate that day. This lets you carefully look at your diet instead of getting rid of foods that may not be the cause of your baby’s distress.