Can feeling sad and upset during breastfeeding affect milk supply?
Sep 05, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lv Aiming
Introduction
Feeling sad or upset during lactation can affect breast milk. Specifically: during the breastfeeding period, a mother's emotions and psychological state do indeed influence both the quantity and quality of breast milk. When a mother feels sad, upset, or emotionally low, stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline increase in her body, which may negatively impact the function of the mammary glands.
Generally, feeling sad or upset during breastfeeding can have a certain impact on milk supply. The detailed analysis is as follows:
When a mother feels sad, upset, or emotionally low, stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline in her body may increase, which could affect the function of the mammary glands and consequently influence milk production. When a mother is under stress, levels of lactation-promoting hormones such as prolactin and oxytocin may decrease, potentially leading to a slight reduction in milk supply. Additionally, stress might shorten breastfeeding duration, further affecting milk drainage and overall production. Moreover, low mood may result in higher levels of cortisol and lactate dehydrogenase in breast milk, while concentrations of lactation-stimulating hormones are reduced. These changes may alter the taste, smell, and texture of the milk, potentially affecting the baby's acceptance of it.
Maintaining a positive mood in daily life can help alleviate these effects. At the same time, maintaining healthy eating habits and balanced nutritional intake is important. Additionally, ensuring adequate sleep and engaging in moderate exercise can also help improve emotional well-being and support increased milk production.
