Thursday, January 13, 2011

Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex

Every time I pump (less noticeable during actual breastfeeding sessions) I feel an immediate surge of sadness/depression that lasts for no more than 30 seconds. I'm not sure why I never looked it up before, I guess I just figured I was just being weird again. I was online last night looking up something completely unrelated and I discovered D-MER (Dysophoric Milk Ejection Reflex) via Kellymom. I couldn't click fast enough! I couldn't believe what I was reading - it's exactly what I have. Fortunately I can cope with the 30 seconds and I don't feel the need for medication. Anyway, I just wanted to share in case there are others out there who share this condition.

By the way, thank you so much for your comments on the previous post. She's still waking up pretty early but has been going back to sleep until about 6:30 (today at 6:45). I don't want to jinx it but maybe it's getting better! I've decided to sleep a little earlier at night and that has helped A LOT.

3 comments:

abby jenkins said...

Thanks, I will share that info with my best friend who has three month old twins. That girl is always breast feeding! Hope you are getting some rest.

Eve Harvey said...

Thank you so much for posting this! I just started reading your blog a little while ago and when I saw this post, I felt such relief! I thought it was just me. Even my midwife didn't know about this when I asked her why I felt do down only when breastfeeding/pumping. Its not a big deal because it doesn't last longer than a minute or so but its nice to know I'm not the only one.

Unknown said...

I had this on my three children, And it lasted most of a feed..I would feel overwhelming sadness and a feeling I can only describe as "homesick"... no matter how good I was feeling when I picked up my sweet baby I would always feel this way! No mid-wife Doctor or health-care worker has ever been able to explain it. But it never upset me enough to stop feeding..

XX

Sinead Kenny

Dublin

Ireland