Does stress affect my milk supply?

[Cheryne]

Hi Pinky,

I have recently moved house and also started back at uni one day a week doing one 2 hour tutorial. My mum and my sister take it turns to look after her and I feel very comfortable and relaxed leaving her with them. I am a single mum and my daughter is 4 1/2 months old.

At the weekend I let her dad have her for an hour without me being present for the first time. It really upset me, I didnt think it would, but I felt awful. Since then I have felt very down and teary and my milk supply seems to have dropped off considerably.

Up till now I have had the opposite problem of oversupply, initially my lactation consultant told me I had enough milk to feed 3 babies :). So tonight I got quite a shock when I tried to express some milk, so my mum has some there while I am at uni and I could only manage to squeaze out 30mls out of both breasts. Normally I get about 100mls out of just one breast. I express by hand I dont use a pump.

It took me 8 weeks for my feeding to settle in after 3 cases of mastitis, really severe cracked nipples and repeated blocked ducks. And I love to breastfeed now, I really enjoy it. The sudden drop off of milk has made me feel even more upset and stressed.

Would my stress levels be causing the drop in supply? Can I do anything to help this?

Also my asthma and hayfever has become quite severe lately, probably because of the stress. Anyway will my inhaler and hayfever tablets cause any problems to my milk supply or will it effect my baby? I take
bricanyl
seretide
loratadine

Thankyou
Cheryne

[Pinky McKay]

hi Cheryne,


You really are having a hard time - hugs!

Stress can affect your milk supply, although there are amazing stories of mothers breastfeeding under enormous stress such as natural disasters or even in concentration camp. Stress imay inhibit your letdown as stress hormones tend to work against reproductive (and breastfeeding) hormones. But please be reassured, this will just be temporary and you can use techniques to enhance positive hormones to reduce stress hormones.

One tip to try is to practise deep breathing (count 4 as you breath in and 6 as you breathe out), progressively relax your arms, shoulders, body and visualise milk flowing over a waterfall as you begin to feed. Cuddle your baby lots - skin to skin ( this will increase oxytocin, a lactation hormone) hold baby against your bare chest and rest with a DVD or a book to help you distract and relax. You could also try using a meditation or relaxation CD to help you relax. This relaxation will help with your asthma as it is probably made worse by stress and so a vicious cycle happens.

And do let your baby feed when ever she will for the next few days. Your mum sounds like a great support so do accept all the help you can.

Regarding your meds

Antihistamines may affect milk supply but
for a clear answer that is specific to you and your health - re dosages etc - it would be best to call the drug information helpline at a major hospital in your nearest city or ask your pharmacist. Monash Medical centre in Melbourne has a wonderful Pharmacist called Rodney Whyte at their drug info centre who could tell you the latest info on your meds and even possible alternatives.

It is important to tell/ remind your Dr that you are breastfeeding whenever they write a script -and to ask what alternatives are available if drugs are likely to be a problem - it is possible to continue breastfeeding on most medications although there may be better times to take a dose - eg after feeds so that the effects are lower by the next feed.

Hang in there and be kind to yourself.

Pinky