Why does breastfeeding make me want to cry?

The Emotional Landscape of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is often celebrated as a profound bonding experience between mother and child, yet it can also evoke a complex array of emotions, including sadness and frustration. For many mothers, the act of nursing can trigger tears, and understanding why this happens involves delving into both physiological and psychological factors.
Hormonal Influences
One of the primary reasons breastfeeding can lead to tears is the hormonal changes that occur during the process. When a mother breastfeeds, her body releases oxytocin, often referred to as the “love hormone.” This hormone not only facilitates milk ejection but also promotes feelings of attachment and bonding. However, oxytocin can also amplify emotional responses, leading to moments of vulnerability and tears. This emotional surge can be particularly intense for new mothers who are already navigating the challenges of postpartum life, including hormonal fluctuations and sleep deprivation.
The Weight of Expectations
Breastfeeding is often surrounded by societal expectations and personal aspirations. Many mothers feel immense pressure to succeed in breastfeeding, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy if they encounter difficulties. For instance, concerns about milk supply or a baby’s feeding habits can create anxiety. Research indicates that perceived insufficient milk can lead to increased stress and emotional distress, which may manifest as crying during breastfeeding sessions. The emotional weight of wanting to provide the best for their child can be overwhelming, leading to tears as a release of that pressure.
The Experience of Breastfeeding Aversion
Another factor that can contribute to crying during breastfeeding is a phenomenon known as breastfeeding aversion and agitation (BAA). This condition, though not widely studied, is reported by some mothers who experience discomfort or emotional distress while nursing. This can be particularly pronounced in mothers who are tandem feeding or those who are breastfeeding while pregnant. The conflicting emotions of nurturing and discomfort can create a tumultuous experience, leading to tears.
The Connection to Infant Crying
Interestingly, the emotional response of mothers can also be linked to their baby’s behavior during breastfeeding. If a baby is fussy or crying while nursing, it can trigger feelings of helplessness and frustration in the mother. This dynamic can create a feedback loop where the mother’s emotional state affects the baby’s feeding experience, which in turn exacerbates the mother’s feelings of distress. The close connection between mother and child means that a baby’s cries can resonate deeply, often leading to tears from the mother as she grapples with her own emotions and the desire to soothe her child.
Conclusion
In summary, the tears that accompany breastfeeding can stem from a variety of sources, including hormonal changes, societal pressures, personal expectations, and the emotional interplay between mother and child. While breastfeeding is a natural and often joyful experience, it is also a deeply emotional journey that can bring about moments of sadness and vulnerability. Understanding these feelings is crucial for mothers as they navigate the complexities of breastfeeding, allowing them to seek support and find solace in their shared experience with their baby.

How long does it take for hormones to balance after stopping 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.

Why does breastfeeding make me feel like crying?

It’s a physiological (read: not mental) response to your body releasing milk, and can bring on feelings of intense sadness, despair, anxiety and more as you’re starting to nurse your baby.

What is the 3 month breastfeeding crisis?

These increases occur around the same time for all babies, hence the term “3-months breastfeeding crisis”. This crisis is the most well-known because it is the most challenging for mothers. One reason is that this crisis, unlike others you may experience before, can last up to a month.

Are breastfed babies more clingy to mom?

Myth: Babies who have been breastfed are clingy.
All babies are different. Some are clingy and some are not, no matter how they are fed. Breastfeeding provides not only the best nutrition for infants, but is also important for their developing brain.

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.

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.

Does stopping breastfeeding make you emotional?

You Might Be Surprised By Your Emotions
Even for those who are happy to be done breastfeeding or pumping, the days after weaning can be an emotional time. Some mamas feel tearful, sad or mildly depressed after their baby is done nursing.

Are breastfed babies more attached to their mums?

A breastfed baby’s ‘primary attachment figure’ is likely to be his mother. Separation from her will be distressing for him unless he is in the care of another person with whom he has already formed an attachment, such as a family member or friend.

What are the side effects of breastfeeding for a mother?

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.

Can breastfeeding make you more emotional?

In fact, a woman’s hormones after delivery can play a major role in their breastfeeding experience. “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.