As a Mother and a Doula, I am always on the look-out for information that can enhance my mothering skills or my doula skills. I came across this article today from a DONA e-newsletter that I think is one of those "WOW" moments...if you have experienced this, or know someone who is, it's worth passing along!
When Breastfeeding Feels DarkBy Alia Macrina Heise, CLC, PCD(DONA) Word about a newly recognized condition in breastfeeding mothers has been making its way through on-line networks of breastfeeding communities. Not yet in the literature, Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (D-MER) is getting recognized as a physiological let-down phenomenon by the top lactation consultants in the profession. D-MER is defined as "a newly recognized condition effecting lactating women that is characterized by a brief surge of dysphoria, or negative emotions, that peak before the milk ejection reflex, or letdown, and then dissipate quickly after the milk release." The emotions mothers feel during D-MER can fall into three different spectrums ranging from dread to anxiety or anger. These intense emotions last a few moments, 30-90 seconds, before every milk release. This leaves a mother confused and worried as to why she is feeling these things while she nurses her baby. It also causes an exhausting emotional cycle, as these mothers feel just fine before and after they experience a D-MER. Formal investigation has been underway to figure out the mechanism and treatment of D-MER and the evidence is pointing to an inappropriate drop in dopamine upon initiation of the milk ejection reflex and treatments using dopamine increasing drugs have been effective in treating D-MER. Education and awareness about D-MER seems to be one of the most important aspects because it has been shown that a vast amount of breastfeeding mothers are affected by this phenomenon, and yet each and every one is often silent about their feelings, thinking they are the only ones who feel such horrific emotions while nursing their babies. Some professionals have gone so far as to call it "breastfeeding's best kept secret." It's time to shed some light on Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex and let mothers know they are not alone and there are treatment options.
Yikes, I've had just about every nursing problem possible and haven't had this. I always just get really thirsty during let-down and I used to get incredibly nauseated too.
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