Can my stress affect lactation?
Can my stress affect lactation?
Simply said, stress and breastfeeding don’t mix well.
When you are scared, stressed or anxious, the adrenaline release by your system can inhibit oxytocin. And since oxytocin is what causes your milk to “let down” that adrenaline messes with your milk flowing freely from your breasts.
“Let down” or the “Milk Ejection Reflex” (MER), is governed mostly by the hormone oxytocin. When the mothers nipple is stimulated, smooth muscles surrounding the alveoli contract and milk is then ejected. Moms usually have more than one MER in a feeding. Some moms are aware of their MER, some are not. Most moms seem to be aware of a MER when their breasts are fuller.
In the infant, you’ll notice a change in rate of suckling. Going from more frequent little sucks to a pattern of longer, slower, more rhythmic sucks followed by swallowing. In the mother, sometimes she’ll experience breast tingling or a “pins and needles” sensation, dripping from the other breast, sense of calm and tranquility, relaxation, drowsiness and thirst!! (always have a big glass of water near you before you sit down to feed!)
So now what?
Most new, dare I say ALL mothers have some stress…
Here are some ways to increase MER
Drink warm liquids- tea, coffee, hot toddy..(just kidding)
Use warm moist heat directly on the breasts- warm washcloth, warm packs (2 to 3 minutes) have a shower/bath
Warm the flange of the breast pump before applying
Before your baby is ready for a feed, get yourself comfortable. Find your most relaxing place in the house- warm up the room, dim the lights, light candles, find your favourite essential oil, your favourite music, look at pictures of relaxing memories or visualize a relaxing place that you visited, meditate. Have your partner bring you the baby before he/she is starving and screaming!
Do lots of skin to skin with baby before feeding
Use the fingertips to massage the breasts toward the nipple to raise oxytocin levels
There is such a thing as exogenous oxytocin nasal spray out there in the world. I have never seen it and I'm pretty sure we can’t get it in Canada. But if you dig deep enough you could probably find it.
Laugh! Find something that makes you laugh- a movie, something on your phone, a picture, maybe you have a funny husband! Laughter does so much good for our tension!
#1 Most Important thing to do: PROTECT YOUR MILK SUPPLY
Empty those breasts! 8 to 12 times in 24 hours (depending on your baby’s age). Full breasts don’t make milk. Your milk supply is driven by supply and demand.
Check out this video:
How To Increase Milk Supply - Relaxing Breastfeeding Meditation
Resource
Marie Biancuzzo. Breastfeeding the Newborn Clinical Strategies for Nurses. Second Edition. 2001
