Hormonal Changes during Breastfeeding
There are several hormones that play a role in getting the breasts ready to make milk during pregnancy. Human placental lactogen, prolactin, HCG, estrogen, glucocorticoids, and progesterone are all necessary for breast changes and growth during pregnancy. Even thyroid hormones and metabolic hormones are important for milk production. (1)
After the baby is born and the placenta is delivered, there is a sharp decline in human placental lactogen, estrogen and progesterone. The drop in progesterone is what signals the mother’s body to start making more copious amounts of milk. (1) Both estrogen and progesterone stay lower than usual until the woman starts ovulating again. (2) If a woman charts NFP, she may note dryness everyday or an unchanging basic infertile pattern until she gets closer to returning to cycling. Women who practice ecological breastfeeding may continue to have low levels of estrogen and progesterone and no cycles for years due to the strong effect breastfeeding has on a woman’s body.
Many new mothers experience a rush of endorphins after their babies are born. After the excitement of meeting your new bundle of joy starts to wear off, sometimes the “baby blues” set in. According to author, Kimberly Ann Johnson, giving food and loving touch to the new mom can help lessen the “baby blues.” The time period of feeling emotional and blue is usually temporary. If you are a new mom, know that your moods and perspective will even out and soon you will feel more like yourself again! If you do not feel better after the first few months or if your symptoms are more serious than the “baby blues,” please do not hesitate to talk to your doctor. (2)
Oxytocin is another essential hormone during breastfeeding that is released when the mother’s nipple is stimulated. (1) It helps the uterus return to its usual size after birth. If you have given birth before, you may feel after pains in the first few days when oxytocin is released while breastfeeding. (3) The release of oxytocin causes your milk to let down and to continue to flow when you nurse your baby. Oxytocin also has a calming effect, reduces blood pressure in mom, and decreases anxiety. (1) That wonderful feeling of relaxation you feel after nursing your baby is due to oxytocin. (3)
Prolactin is another key hormone needed for milk secretion, and is released in response to breast stimulation. Frequent nursing, especially in the early days of breastfeeding, encourages the development of prolactin receptor sites in the breast which help the mom have an adequate supply of milk during the years of breastfeeding. Prolactin levels decrease over time, but have been still detected in women even 40 weeks after birth. In non-breastfeeding women, prolactin levels return to pre-pregnant levels by two weeks. (1)
There are also hormonal changes as the baby gets closer to full weaning. The more abrupt the weaning, the more dramatic the shift will be in hormones. Therefore, a more gradual weaning - when possible - is the ideal for both mom and baby, not only in terms of less risk of engorgement for mom but also hormonally. Before and after weaning, there is a drop in both oxytocin and prolactin. Since oxytocin contributes to the feelings of relaxation and calmness in the mother, it’s absence may lead to the mother feeling extra emotional at this time. That, in addition, to possibly feeling sad that the baby is no longer wanting or needing to nurse. (4) The involution of the breast, or the breast returning to its pre-pregnancy and pre-breastfeeding condition, typically takes place by 40 after full weaning. However, if the mother has been breastfeeding for an extended length of time as is common in mothers practicing ecological breastfeeding, this process may take longer. (1)
References:
(1) Core Curriculum for Lactation Consultant Practice, third edition
(2) Kellymom: Fourth Trimester
(3) Oxytocin and Breastfeeding
(4) Kellymom: Sadness and depression during weaning
After the baby is born and the placenta is delivered, there is a sharp decline in human placental lactogen, estrogen and progesterone. The drop in progesterone is what signals the mother’s body to start making more copious amounts of milk. (1) Both estrogen and progesterone stay lower than usual until the woman starts ovulating again. (2) If a woman charts NFP, she may note dryness everyday or an unchanging basic infertile pattern until she gets closer to returning to cycling. Women who practice ecological breastfeeding may continue to have low levels of estrogen and progesterone and no cycles for years due to the strong effect breastfeeding has on a woman’s body.
Many new mothers experience a rush of endorphins after their babies are born. After the excitement of meeting your new bundle of joy starts to wear off, sometimes the “baby blues” set in. According to author, Kimberly Ann Johnson, giving food and loving touch to the new mom can help lessen the “baby blues.” The time period of feeling emotional and blue is usually temporary. If you are a new mom, know that your moods and perspective will even out and soon you will feel more like yourself again! If you do not feel better after the first few months or if your symptoms are more serious than the “baby blues,” please do not hesitate to talk to your doctor. (2)
Oxytocin is another essential hormone during breastfeeding that is released when the mother’s nipple is stimulated. (1) It helps the uterus return to its usual size after birth. If you have given birth before, you may feel after pains in the first few days when oxytocin is released while breastfeeding. (3) The release of oxytocin causes your milk to let down and to continue to flow when you nurse your baby. Oxytocin also has a calming effect, reduces blood pressure in mom, and decreases anxiety. (1) That wonderful feeling of relaxation you feel after nursing your baby is due to oxytocin. (3)
Prolactin is another key hormone needed for milk secretion, and is released in response to breast stimulation. Frequent nursing, especially in the early days of breastfeeding, encourages the development of prolactin receptor sites in the breast which help the mom have an adequate supply of milk during the years of breastfeeding. Prolactin levels decrease over time, but have been still detected in women even 40 weeks after birth. In non-breastfeeding women, prolactin levels return to pre-pregnant levels by two weeks. (1)
There are also hormonal changes as the baby gets closer to full weaning. The more abrupt the weaning, the more dramatic the shift will be in hormones. Therefore, a more gradual weaning - when possible - is the ideal for both mom and baby, not only in terms of less risk of engorgement for mom but also hormonally. Before and after weaning, there is a drop in both oxytocin and prolactin. Since oxytocin contributes to the feelings of relaxation and calmness in the mother, it’s absence may lead to the mother feeling extra emotional at this time. That, in addition, to possibly feeling sad that the baby is no longer wanting or needing to nurse. (4) The involution of the breast, or the breast returning to its pre-pregnancy and pre-breastfeeding condition, typically takes place by 40 after full weaning. However, if the mother has been breastfeeding for an extended length of time as is common in mothers practicing ecological breastfeeding, this process may take longer. (1)
References:
(1) Core Curriculum for Lactation Consultant Practice, third edition
(2) Kellymom: Fourth Trimester
(3) Oxytocin and Breastfeeding
(4) Kellymom: Sadness and depression during weaning
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