What is the impact of stress on the milk supply?
There are many reasons why women experience changes in their milk supply. However, in certain cases, stress can be a major contributor to low milk supply. Women who experience stress often produce lower levels of prolactin than women who don’t experience stress. Prolactin is a hormone that is involved in producing milk.
Some studies have even found that breastfeeding moms with high-stress levels produce less milk than women who don’t experience stress. If you are struggling with a low milk supply due to stress, you can take steps to boost your milk supply and reduce the impact of stress on your milk supply.
Coping strategies for nursing mothers who feel stressed
You can do many things to cope with stress and increase your milk supply. However, the best coping strategy depends on your current situation.
- Take a moment to breathe – Stress can make you feel like your life isn’t manageable. When you are in this mindset, thinking about your milk supply or issues can be difficult. Anxiety and stress make it harder to think clearly and make good decisions.
- Take care of yourself – It can be easy to forget about yourself when stressed out. Make sure you eat well and get plenty of sleep so that you can function at your best.
- Talk to people – If you don’t have anyone to talk to about your stress or are struggling to talk about it with your partner, finding a support group or talking with a friend can be a good way to relieve some stress.
- Get physical – Spending time outdoors or engaging in physical activity can help you get rid of excess stress and release endorphins that make you happy.
- Get mental – Participating in hobbies that interest you can help you to relax and release endorphin chemicals in your brain that make you feel better. This may include creating art, reading, or spending time with your family.
What you can do to cope with stress and boost your milk supply
- Get a massage – Massage therapy has been shown to reduce stress and has been shown to boost milk supply among breastfeeding moms.
- Engage in a hobby – When you have more free time, engage in an activity that you enjoy that reduces stress.
- Take a walk in nature – Nature has been shown to reduce levels of stress and increase feelings of well-being. Spending time in nature can help relieve stress and boost the milk supply.
- Calm music – Listening to calming music can effectively reduce your stress level and boost your milk supply.
- Journal – Journaling has been shown to relieve stress, lead to improved mental health, and boost milk supply.
- Exercise – Exercise releases endorphins that make you feel happier and reduce stress.
- Find a friend who can talk – Try to find someone you can talk to about your stress. Having a friend who can listen and be a sounding board can be a great help.
- Seek professional help – If you are struggling with anxiety and stress, you may benefit from speaking to a therapist or seeing a virtual psychiatrist.
- Get a pet – Pets have been shown to reduce stress and increase feelings of well-being. Having a pet in the house can be a good way to reduce stress and boost the milk supply.
- Sleep – Sleep is crucial for your health and for producing milk. Make sleep a priority and reduce stress as much as possible when you are unable to sleep.
- Limit caffeine – Caffeine can negatively affect the amount of milk you produce during and after lactation.
Conclusion
Stress is a normal part of life. But for some people, high levels of stress become a destructive force that hurts everything around them. Keep in mind that there are many ways to cope with stress and feel better again. The best coping strategy depends on your current situation.
