Do women that don't breastfeed lack hormones

[MA mommy]

associated with breastfeeding?

http://www.breastfeed.com/resources/...eastfeediq.htm

Judy Aikens of Manchester, N.H. chose to bottle-feed her children. "I didn't have the desire [to breastfeed] and I also worked full time," she says. "But they have been healthy and I feel that bottle-feeding has not impaired their intelligence."

"Breastfeeding releases hormones in the mother which make her feel more affection toward her baby," she says. "Prior to modern times, the only time a woman would give birth and not breastfeed would be if the baby died. [Without breastfeeding], a mother's body assumes the baby has died and gears up for another attempt at reproduction. Yet she has a young baby, and the mother doesn't have the appropriate hormones."

This is not critisism. It's honest curiousity. If I know why a woman doesn't have the desire it would help.

[Sagesgirl]

Generally, the hormone spoken of in the whole "breastfeeding promotes bonding" thing is oxytocin. This is present anyway--it's one of the hormones released during orgasm, and even men have it. The other big hormone involved in breastfeeding is prolactin; it is my understanding that production begins during pregnancy but it must be stimulated via suckling for production to continue after birth. Nonlactating women do typically have these hormones, but not in the same levels as lactating women.

The question of a deficiency in these hormones making breastfeeding undesireable is an interesting one, but I don't think it's accurate. Some women with abnormally low levels of prolactin (and associated low supply) still have quite the desire to breastfeed; and presumably plenty of wome who bottlefeed have normal hormone levels. I fear it's mainly a cultural phenomenon.

[Lovemy3babies]

I wanted to nurse my twins, and just couldnt (I was 19, thought it was going to be *easy*, no support, had no clue about nursing). Then a year later my son came along and I wanted to do it. I did. Now I have my 10 month old and am nursing and love it. Honestly, I feel exactly the same towards all my kids, felt exactly the same after having all of them, and during pregnancy and post partum. I dont think I had hormone issues for not nursing the twins.

[kriket]

Originally Posted by Lovemy3babies

I dont think I had hormone issues for not nursing the twins.

nak

i don't think they are talking about not loving you children the same, more just that gushy feeling you get while nursing. and if you don't bf af will come back, because if you aren't caring for an infant mother nature will give you one

I don't understand how you could not want to breastfeed, I understand being undermined, incapable, etc, but simply deciding "eh, I just don't feel like it" baffles me. it takes all kinds i guess.

[MaryJaneLouise]

Sometimes a traumatic birth and/or cesarean birth can prevent that initial oxytocin release.

[SunShineSally]

wouldn't all the blood tests that they do now during a pregnancy show a lack of hormones?? My sister did not nurse my oldest nephew then she did my youngest for about 3 months then pumped for 3 or 4 months. So of it is true did her desire to nurse nephew # 2 come form new hormones she developed? it could be possible as she was about 5 years older with him. I never really thought to bottle feed as I grew up with a mother who loved to talk about her nurseing relationship she had with my sister and I and I always naturally took the natural route in life!

[MA mommy]

If you don't breastfeed at all maybe the hormones don't kick in. It's very hard for me to imagine my milk coming in and a baby rooting but not initiating breastfeeding at all. It's like you have to go out of your way to avoid the natural process.

[pdxmomazon]

Originally Posted by kriket

nak

i don't think they are talking about not loving you children the same, more just that gushy feeling you get while nursing.

I don't get that "gushy" feeling while nursing. I don't feel let down, either. I have low-supply and have had to move mountains to be able to nurse in the first place. I didn't give birth to or breastfeed my older daughter, and yet I felt all the warm fuzzies for her that I do for our younger daughter. I just don't think it's ever cut and dry or one answer fits all questions kind of thing.

[sdm1024]

wouldn't all the blood tests that they do now during a pregnancy show a lack of hormones??

Oxytocin and prolactin aren't part of the routine pregnacy panels. Even quantative hCG and progesterone are typically tested when there is a problem.

At least around these parts...I don't know if they run other labs elsewhere in the world.

[felix23]

Originally Posted by kriket

nak

i don't think they are talking about not loving you children the same, more just that gushy feeling you get while nursing. and if you don't bf af will come back, because if you aren't caring for an infant mother nature will give you one
I don't understand how you could not want to breastfeed, I understand being undermined, incapable, etc, but simply deciding "eh, I just don't feel like it" baffles me. it takes all kinds i guess.

I wish this was always true. I get my period back in 4 weeks! And my friend who ff didn't for two months. It sucks.

Oh, and I don't know if there is something wrong with me, but I have never felt any gushy feelings when I nurse.

[A&A]

There are societal and cultural factors at play.......socioeconomic status, whether or not women around you bf, etc.

[annettemarie]

Originally Posted by kriket

nak

i don't think they are talking about not loving you children the same, more just that gushy feeling you get while nursing. and if you don't bf af will come back, because if you aren't caring for an infant mother nature will give you one

I don't think Mother Nature is so into schadenfreude as all that. If the average return of menses, providing a woman is ecologically breastfeeding, is 14 months, that still leaves plenty of room for periods returning earlier and later than that.

[calpurnia]

Originally Posted by felix23

Oh, and I don't know if there is something wrong with me, but I have never felt any gushy feelings when I nurse.

me neither

actually, i felt really cheated when dd was first born. everyone went on about the gushy feelings & the mother love etc, & i didn't feel that at all. you know, she was pretty cute & i definitely felt fond of her, but honestly, no deep burning mother love came for aaaages. so maybe i'm a breastfeeding mother who lacks hormones

(now she is one, still nursing & i am all about the love. but still no gushy feelings when feeding. more like pain as the teeth scrape my nipple