A ped has asked me about a 7-week mom who experiences depression with each milk release.  The depression lifts after a few minutes.  I found a bit in the archives, but am wondering about mechanism and treatment.  

Vasopression (ADH or antidiuretic hormone) can be linked to depression.  Does anyone know whether/how it's involved with oxytocin?  Apparently the two are very similar chemically.  Something somewhere makes me think there's a connection between the thirst that milk release generates and the fleeting depression this mom experiences.

I've suggested that she use a good book, a good book on tape, or good music (all her definition of "good") to distract her during let-down, and that most likely the symptom will abate with time.  I'm also wondering if just possibly *drinking* during let-down might help.  Why am I connecting the depression and the "milk-release thirst"?  Does it make sense to anyone else?

Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC  Ithaca, NY  USA
www.wiessinger.baka.com


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