Basking Babies, LLC, Breastfeeding Information, Des Moines Lactation Consultant Doula
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Breastfeeding What If's...

"What if I have an unhappy feeling when my milk lets down?" 

Some women will complain of a homesickness feeling, nausea or unpleasantness, hopelessness, restlessness, anxiety, tension, agitation, or anger when they experience the milk ejection reflex. This physiological reflex, and not a psychological response, to breastfeeding and is called Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex or D-MER. The experience is usually brief and begins just prior to the milk ejection reflex and usually does not last more than several minutes.

This phenomenon was unnamed, misunderstood and was rarely ever discussed until 2007 when it was finally identified and described. In 2008 a team of lactation consultants worked together to do more investigation and an in-depth study of D-MER . It is now more widely known and is an accepted condition. 

The cause of D-MER is believed to be a drop in dopamine when milk is released. It is thought to either drop too far or somehow differently, causing negative feelings. D-MER is not postpartum depression or a mood disorder as was once believed.

Treatment for D-MER is rarely needed.  Anything that raises and maintains dopamine may be helpful, but at this time there is no one product that is medically approved to do this. What has shown to be most effective is awareness, education, and understanding. If a mother realizes this is a physiological condition and learns more about this condition, she is less likely to wean.

Additional Resources:
 A case report of D-MER can be found here. 
Or watch this helpful YouTube video. 
The facebook page may be helpful.
And the website has much of the information available on this condition.

Written by Angela E. Swieter, RN, BSN, IBCLC, ICD, ICPE, ICPD

WE'RE HERE TO HELP. REACH OUT.

We serve families all over Central Iowa, including: Des Moines, Ames, Ankeny, Altoona, West Des Moines and more.

​Our office is located at the Altoona Medicap at 950 28th Ave SW Altoona, Iowa 50009

 email: lactationlady@live.com | phone: 515-210-1868
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  • HOME
  • About
    • Meet Angela
    • IBCLC - What it means
    • Client Testimonials
    • Awards and Basking Babies in the News >
      • IBCLC Care Award Winner
  • Classes
    • Upcoming Classes and Events
    • B.O.O.B. Camp
    • Breastfeeding "Do's" for Doulas
    • The Pumping Class
    • Skip Baby Puree
    • Mother's Milk for Multiples
    • Baby, Breastfeeding, and Blues for Busy Parents
    • Grandparents Class: Raising a baby now vs. then
    • Basking Babies Breastfeeding Preparation Video
    • Breastfeeding Anew
    • Education for Professionals >
      • Breastfeeding Best Practices
  • Services
    • Services at Guiding Star Marshalltown
    • Services Northern Iowa
    • Breastfeeding Consultations
    • Breastfeeding Bundles
    • Do I Need a Lactation Consultant?
    • Benefits of a Consultation with an IBCLC
    • Unique Breastfeeding Situations
    • Gift Certificates
    • Pay for Services
    • Reservation Fee
    • Doula Partners
  • Cures
    • Blebs
    • Engorgement
    • Low Milk Supply
    • Mastitis
    • Oversupply
    • Plugged Ducts
    • Sore Nipple Care
    • Vasospasm
    • Yeast
  • Resources
    • Breastfeeding and Adoption
    • What if I have an unhappy feeling when my milk lets down?
    • Breastfeeding: Make it a Happy Dance
    • 490 Hours
    • Recipes
    • Other Resources
  • Annual Conference
    • 2021 Fall Conference >
      • 2021 Fall Conference Information
      • 2021 Conference Registration
      • 2021 Fall Conference Sponsors
    • 2019 Fall Conference >
      • 2019 Fall Conference Information
      • 2019 Conference Registration
      • 2019 Fall Conference Sponsors
    • 2018 Fall Conference >
      • Sign up for 2019 Fall Conference Reminder
      • 2018 Fall Conference Information
      • 2018 Fall Conference Sponsors
    • 2017 Fall Conference >
      • 2017 Fall Conference Information
      • 2017 Fall Conference Sponsors
    • 2016 Fall Conference Information >
      • 2016 Conference Registration
      • 2016 Conference Display Table Information
    • 2015 Fall Conference Photos and Information >
      • 2015 Conference Registration - CLOSED
      • 2014 Fall Conference
      • Baby, Breastfeeding, and Blues for Busy Parents
  • Contact