Why do I get anxiety when I breastfeed?

Understanding Anxiety During Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is often portrayed as a natural and nurturing experience, yet for many mothers, it can evoke feelings of anxiety. This emotional response can stem from a variety of factors, both psychological and physiological, that intertwine during the breastfeeding journey.
The Role of Maternal Anxiety
Research indicates that prenatal and postpartum anxiety can significantly impact a mother’s ability to breastfeed effectively. Anxiety may disrupt the mother-infant bond, leading to difficulties in establishing a breastfeeding routine. This disruption can manifest as excessive worrying about the baby’s feeding habits, concerns over milk supply, or fears about the baby’s health and development. Such worries can create a cycle where anxiety affects breastfeeding, and the challenges of breastfeeding further exacerbate anxiety.
Physical Symptoms and Emotional Responses
Postpartum anxiety is characterized by excessive worrying that can be accompanied by physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, sweating, and feelings of panic. These symptoms can be particularly pronounced during breastfeeding sessions, where the mother may feel trapped or overwhelmed. The act of breastfeeding, which requires a degree of physical closeness and vulnerability, can amplify these feelings, making it a trigger for anxiety rather than a soothing experience.
Breastfeeding as a Learned Behavior
Breastfeeding is not an instinctual act for all mothers; it is a learned behavior that requires support and guidance. Many mothers face challenges such as latching difficulties, pain, or insufficient milk supply, which can lead to frustration and anxiety. The pressure to succeed in breastfeeding, often fueled by societal expectations and personal aspirations, can create a sense of inadequacy, further intensifying feelings of anxiety.
Psychological Effects of Breastfeeding
Interestingly, while breastfeeding can be a source of anxiety, it also has protective effects against postpartum mood swings. Some studies suggest that breastfeeding may help mitigate symptoms of postpartum depression, providing a complex interplay between anxiety and breastfeeding. However, for some women, the experience of breastfeeding can trigger negative emotions, leading to what is known as breastfeeding aversion and agitation. This phenomenon, though not widely researched, highlights the emotional challenges some mothers face during breastfeeding.
Conclusion
In summary, anxiety during breastfeeding is a multifaceted issue influenced by maternal mental health, physical challenges, and societal pressures. Understanding these factors can help mothers navigate their breastfeeding experiences with greater awareness and seek support when needed. It is essential for healthcare providers and support networks to recognize the emotional complexities of breastfeeding, ensuring that mothers feel empowered and supported throughout their journey.

Why do I feel panic when breastfeeding?

D-MER is a rare condition which some breastfeeding women experience. Women with D-MER feel negative emotions seconds before their let-down reflex.

How to reduce stress during breastfeeding?

Slow, calm breathing can help lessen the experience of discomfort as it reduces the release of stress hormones and can promote the release of oxytocin, the ‘feel good’ hormone. Focussing on breathing deeply and evenly meant that I wasn’t fixating on the less pleasant sensations of early breastfeeding.

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.

Can breastfeeding hormones cause anxiety?

Ours is the first study to our knowledge to measure oxytocin response to the physiologic trigger of breastfeeding among mothers with lower vs. higher mood symptoms. Our findings associating lower oxytocin with higher anxiety and depression suggest that oxytocin dysregulation may contribute to perinatal mood disorders.

Does anxiety pass through breast milk?

Cortisol is your body’s primary stress hormone, and it controls much of your feelings. Studies have shown that breast milk from distressed mothers may contain higher levels of cortisol.

Why is my anxiety so bad after having a baby?

For many women, the abrupt decrease in estrogen and progesterone at the time of delivery can lead to a greater sensitivity to stress, causing some to feel overwhelmed, fearful or panicky. Sleep deprivation from newborn care can also contribute to these feelings.

Why do I feel overwhelmed 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 can you take for anxiety while breastfeeding?

Safe medication in breastfeeding
They include, in no particular order: SSRI antidepressants e.g. sertraline, citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine all have anti- anxiety activity. They take 4 to 6 weeks to exert full benefit. Tri-cyclic antidepressants e.g. amitriptyline, imipramine.

How long does postpartum panic last?

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists notes that maternal anxiety usually spikes right after delivery and up to six weeks postpartum but can emerge at any time until a baby’s first birthday, including breastfeeding transitions or the return of your periods.

Why does nursing give me anxiety?

The National Institutes of Occupational Safety and Health lists the most common factors linked to nursing stress, including: Work overload. Time pressure. Lack of support.