What does breastfeeding aversion feel like?

Understanding Breastfeeding Aversion
Breastfeeding aversion is a complex and often misunderstood phenomenon that affects a significant number of mothers. While breastfeeding is typically associated with bonding and nurturing, for some women, it can trigger intense negative emotions that overshadow these positive experiences.
The Emotional Landscape
Many mothers report feelings of anger, agitation, and irritability during breastfeeding sessions. This emotional turmoil can manifest as a skin-crawling sensation or an overwhelming urge to detach the baby from the breast. Some women describe feeling like they are prisoners during these moments, grappling with thoughts of pushing their nursling away, despite their desire to breastfeed.
Research indicates that as many as 1 in 5 women experience this aversion, highlighting that it is not an isolated issue but rather a common struggle among breastfeeding mothers. The feelings can vary in intensity; some women may experience aversion sporadically, while others may feel it consistently at every feeding.
The Physical Connection
Breastfeeding aversion can also be linked to a condition known as Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (DMER). This condition triggers a range of negative feelings, including despair and hopelessness, coinciding with the let-down reflex during breastfeeding. The interplay between physical sensations and emotional responses can create a distressing experience for mothers, complicating their breastfeeding journey.
The Impact on Motherhood
The experience of breastfeeding aversion can inhibit mothers from achieving their personal breastfeeding goals. Many women who wish to continue breastfeeding find themselves caught in a cycle of guilt and frustration, feeling torn between their desire to nurture their child and the overwhelming discomfort they experience. This emotional conflict can lead to a sense of isolation, as mothers may feel reluctant to share their struggles for fear of being judged or misunderstood.
Conclusion
Breastfeeding aversion is a multifaceted issue that encompasses a range of negative emotions and physical sensations. It serves as a reminder that the breastfeeding experience is not universally positive and that many mothers face significant challenges. Understanding and acknowledging these feelings is crucial for providing support to those navigating the complexities of breastfeeding.

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.

What does fluttery feel like breastfeeding?

After a while you will notice that the sucks become more infrequent but you might feel “flutters” with more occasional swallowing (some mums say it feels like their baby is tickling them, or their tongue is vibrating against your nipple). This helps to draw even more fat down the ducts as fat is thick and sticky.

What does nursing aversion feel like?

Feelings of anger and irritability, coupled with skin itching sensations while the infant is latched, and the urgent need to remove the feeding infant are the commonly experienced feelings. Shame and guilt about these feelings of anger and wanting to unlatch the child are also common.

What week is milk supply highest?

Milk supply usually reaches its peak around four weeks after birth, with most of the increase happening in the first two weeks. If not enough milk is removed during this time, your breasts may end up making less milk than your baby needs.

How long does breastfeeding aversion last?

The difference between aversion and DMER
As a condition, though, DMER is prompted by your milk ejection reflex — hence the name. As such, it lasts for just a few minutes, unlike aversion, which can last for entire nursing sessions.

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.

What is the hardest week of breastfeeding?

moms and babies have to learn together.” The first week is always the hardest, but by the second week, most moms have rebounded from their engorgement phase and things fall into place, she says. Engorgement typically happens when milk production ramps up within the first few days of giving birth.

What day of breastfeeding hurts the most?

Your breasts will feel swollen and painful 2 to 3 days after you give birth. You will need to nurse your baby often to relieve the pain. Pump your breasts if you miss a feeding, or if a feeding does not relieve the pain. Talk to your health care provider if your breasts do not feel better after 1 day.

How to tell the difference between comfort nursing and feeding?

Your baby is only nursing for comfort nursing when you see these signs: Flutter sucking, slowing down, stop sucking, or making little sucks. Still and looking into space while nursing. Holding the nipple in their mouth but not sucking for milk.

How do you know if nursing is not for you?

Nursing is not a career path for anyone looking to coast through their day. With most shifts involving at least five to ten planning-changing events at a time, there is often not much time to sit back and relax while working. If you aren’t looking for this working environment, nursing may not be for you!