Feeling out of sorts after giving birth? You are not alone, mama. Your body went through big changes in just a short time, you’re likely sleep-deprived caring for your little one, and could be experiencing hormonal changes.
But what are hormones and how do they affect our babies and breastfeeding?
Hormones are our bodies’ chemical messengers and affect many different processes like growth, mood, sexual function, and reproduction.
A woman’s ability to produce an egg varies day-to-day in a cyclical manner. The egg is released when the female sex hormone, estrogen, is at its peak. If there are healthy sperm in one of the fallopian tubes when the egg passes, it may be fertilized before it is carried and implanted in the uterus wall.
The estrogen and another hormone, progesterone, help maintain the uterus lining and prevent milk secretion during pregnancy. In the postpartum period, the levels of both hormones fall rapidly and unblock the milk-making hormone prolactin.
Can breastfeeding stop you from getting pregnant?
Milk production keeps the estrogen level low and exclusive breastfeeding lowers your risk of getting pregnant, according to the World Health Organization.
“During the first 6 months, as long as you do not menstruate, and you breastfeed fully day and night, you have 98% protection from pregnancy. This is equivalent to the protection from other modern contraceptive methods,” it said.
However, if your baby gets bottle-fed, even of your expressed breast milk, the suckling stimulus is reduced and the contraceptive effect of breastfeeding is less effective.
You should not rely on this method of contraception after the baby is 6 months old, the WHO notes.
Breastfeeding mamas should also avoid oral contraceptives with high levels of estrogens, as this may reduce the amount of milk.
Does stress stop the milk?
Your baby’s suckling sends messages to the brain which then releases two hormones: the prolactin that stimulates the breast to make milk, and oxytocin which makes the milk flow.
The WHO says stress has no effect on prolactin hormone, but it can have a temporary effect on oxytocin. The temporary stoppage of this reflex is a useful biological mechanism to prevent milk being ejected from the breast at difficult moments.
But while the oxytocin reflex is sensitive and can stop temporarily, it is also robust and can resume quickly.
“We all need comfort during stressful times. Ask someone to give you a gentle back massage. This can help your oxytocin reflex,” the WHO advises.
What can your baby do?
Your baby also has a major role to play. The baby’s suckling sends a message to your brain to say how much milk he or she needs.
“If your baby is hungrier today, she suckles more. In response, your brain sends out more milk-making hormones telling your breast to make more milk. It is a supply and demand system,” according to the WHO.
Mamas are also advised to always let the baby end the breastfeed in his or her own time.
“Sometimes a mother mistakenly thinks her baby wants to stop feeding when he pauses and she takes the baby off. In fact the pauses mean the milk is flowing and feeding is going well,” the WHO says.
Skin-to-skin contact also helps you feel closer to your baby.
If your baby is healthy, he or she should not be separated from you. You can rest together and routine medical observations can be done while you are holding your baby, adds the WHO.
Baby-led feeding produces the best milk supply and a more satisfied baby who cries less and grows well. You can do this, mama!
