Oxytocin and Feeding your Baby
Many hormones are involved in Breastfeeding, and in this post, we’ll be looking at oxytocin. It’s not scientifically accurate to talk about oxytocin alone because hormones don’t work in isolation and are sometimes described by scientists as ‘flocks of birds.’
However, I find that understanding oxytocin’s role in breastfeeding is valuable conceptually when learning how to better support parents, so I’m doing it anyway! One of the key biological functions of oxytocin is its role in helping breast milk flow.
What is the let-down reflex?
When a baby suckles on the nipple, a message is sent up the mother’s spinal nerves to a part of the brain known as the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is linked to the pituitary gland, which is where the body’s oxytocin is made and stored. The pituitary gland then secretes oxytocin into the bloodstream, which acts on the mammary glands to trigger the “let down” of breast milk. The flow of milk encourages the baby to suck more, which in turn prompts the release of more oxytocin into the body.
This is known as a “positive feedback loop” – the baby sucking triggers oxytocin, which releases milk, which encourages the baby to suck more, which triggers more oxytocin, and so on.
Image courtesy of Australian Breastfeeding Association
https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/let-down-reflex-and-your-milk-flow
Are we letting mums down?
“Let-down” is not my favourite word.
Ironically if you look it up in the dictionary, it means failing to support someone as they had hoped or expected. Sadly, low breastfeeding rates are due to a widespread lack of support, and many families are not getting the help that they deserve when learning how to feed their babies. Sometimes if your milk won’t let down it might be because you have felt let down.
General feelings of stress and anxiety can have the effect of interfering with this positive feedback loop and making it ineffective in triggering the flow of breast milk. If you are having trouble breastfeeding, this can cause your baby to feel frustrated and you to feel stressed. Your hungry baby will get upset, you will get more anxious trying to satisfy her, and a vicious circle begins.
Unfortunately, this can make you doubt your abilities as a parent, when really what you are experiencing is a lack of support.
It takes a village.
Feeling stressed about breastfeeding?
If you are struggling with breastfeeding you may find your oxytocin positive feedback loop isn’t kicking in, leaving you feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Alongside professional guidance, it may help to stimulate oxytocin, kick-start that positive feedback loop and get your milk flowing.
You can try different things to release oxytocin while breastfeeding, for example:
Warmth – sit in an easy chair in the sun or by a heater
Comfort – enjoy some delicious comfort foods like chocolate or fresh juicy fruit
Music – put on some music you enjoy, and better still, sing along!
You may notice that, once you and your baby are breastfeeding successfully, you experience a profound sense of calm and love. It’s not only because the baby is quiet and you get an opportunity to sit still and relax, but it is also because of the oxytocin flowing through your body. This is nature’s gift to Newborn Mothers. It is designed to make you feel good so that you have the strength and desire to keep nurturing your baby.
Creating a Breastfeeding Sanctuary
In the beginning, breastfeeding success is greatly influenced by your environment. How comfortable you feel can play a huge role in allowing your body to let down the milk to feed your baby. This is why it’s useful to take some time to think about your ideal breastfeeding environment.
Some of the factors to think about include:
Place. Depending on your preferred breastfeeding position, you will need a place where you can get comfortable and reach all the things you need. Learn more about preparing your feeding chair here.
People. Despite the messages we receive from our hyper-independent culture, it helps to have someone else around. This might include the phone number of a breastfeeding hotline on speed dial, a friend or family member to bring you water and give a shoulder rub or a lactation consultant by your side.
Oxytocin boosters. I’ve mentioned loads of oxytocin boosters throughout this article, and what works for you is as individual as you are. Practice gratitude, cuddle a pet, surround yourself with beautiful art, and do some yoga. Find what feels good for you and make it a regular habit.
It’s ok to set some boundaries to create a calm and peaceful environment where you feel relaxed, particularly in the early days. Choose a support crew who makes you feel loved and relaxed and delay visitors who make you feel uncomfortable or don’t support your feeding goals.
Oxytocin and Expressing Milk
There may be occasions when you need to express breast milk for your baby. If you are separated from your baby or your baby is having trouble drinking at the breast, expressing can be an effective way of ensuring your baby continues to receive the nutritional benefits of breast milk.
Breast pumps attempt to replicate the suckling effect of your baby’s contact with your nipple; however, they are rarely as effective as the real thing. You might need to be creative in helping your body to generate enough oxytocin to enable milk let-down.
Use other oxytocin boosters like warmth, comfort and laughter to assist.
Snuggle up under a blanket with a cup of tea.
Read or watch some comedy.
Ask someone to give you a shoulder rub whilst you express.
Bottle-feeding and oxytocin
Sometimes, for a whole variety of reasons, breastfeeding just isn’t right for you or your baby. The most important nourishment that your baby needs doesn’t come from a breast or a bottle; it comes from your heart. No matter how you feed your baby, feeding is a time that you can use to cultivate a loving relationship with your baby. As you’ve learned in this article there are many ways to boost oxytocin beyond breastfeeding, and all parents can find ways to increase their peace and joy and connection to their baby.
Interested in supporting new families whilst they learn to feed their babies? Check out our online postpartum training and professional development with nearly 2000 students from 60+ countries around the world.
