Learning to breastfeed can be a beautiful but challenging and emotional journey, filled with highs and lows as your body adjusts to its new role. Let’s explore the connection between breastfeeding and hormones and how they shape your experience.

The Early Days: Navigating the Rollercoaster of Emotions

After birth, your body undergoes significant hormonal changes. Following the colostrum phase, most mothers find their milk “comes in” around days 3-5. This often coincides with the baby blues—a time when many women feel tearful, anxious, and irritable.

During pregnancy, oestrogen and progesterone levels are at an all-time high. After birth, these hormones plummet, which can trigger the emotional shift known as the baby blues. Add in a few sleepless nights and the physical demands of early breastfeeding, and it’s easy to understand why new mothers may feel overwhelmed.

The good news is that these feelings are normal and usually subside after a few days. However, if they last beyond two weeks, it’s important to connect with your healthcare provider, as this could be a sign of postpartum depression.

Breastfeeding Hormones: Prolactin and Oxytocin

Breastfeeding is guided by two key hormones: prolactin and oxytocin.

• Prolactin is the hormone responsible for milk production. It increases when your baby suckles, stimulating your body to produce more milk.
• Oxytocin helps with the let-down reflex, releasing milk from the breast. Oxytocin is also known as the “love hormone,” as it fosters feelings of relaxation, happiness, and even sleepiness during breastfeeding.

While the early days of feeding can feel like an emotional whirlwind, once breastfeeding is established and your hormones settle, the experience brings numerous benefits for both you and your baby. Oxytocin not only strengthens the emotional bond between mother and baby but also reduces stress and promotes healing.Weaning Hormones

Weaning Hormones: The Emotional Transition

Weaning, whether it’s a decision made by you, a necessity, or your child’s choice, can trigger significant hormonal shifts. The transition away from breastfeeding often leads to an emotional journey that can be as challenging as the early days of feeding.

When you breastfeed, oxytocin is regularly released, creating a sense of well-being. As breastfeeding slows down or comes to an end, many mothers experience a sudden drop in this feel-good hormone, which can feel like a form of withdrawal. This hormonal shift can bring on symptoms akin to pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), or what some refer to as post-weaning baby blues or even delayed postpartum depression.

Common Symptoms During Weaning:

• Anxiety (e.g., racing thoughts, a nervous feeling)
• Weepiness or crying spells
• Mood swings or irritability
• Lowered motivation or energy
• Nausea
• Sleep disruptions
• Skin breakouts
• Headaches or migraines

If you experienced postnatal depression or anxiety after birth, it’s important to be mindful that weaning can sometimes trigger similar emotions. Studies show an increased risk of anxiety and depression during weaning, especially if the process happens abruptly. If you’re concerned about how weaning might affect your mental or emotional health, don’t hesitate to seek support. Let loved ones know that this can be a challenging time so they can offer you the care and understanding you need.

Supporting Your Hormonal Balance During Weaning

It can take several weeks for your hormones to find their balance after weaning. During this time, it’s essential to support your body and mind. Gentle self-care, a nutritious diet, and seeking emotional support from loved ones or professionals can help ease the transition.

For more in-depth advice on how to navigate the weaning process, you can read our dedicated journal post on how to end your breastfeeding journey.