It's possible she is experiencing a physiologic reaction to the hormonal responses at let-down. Some research links this to oxytocin, others point to dopamine and prolactin, but what is consistent is the physiologic symptoms - an immediate, intense experience that resolves shortly after milk let down. Can be intense panic or anxiety, sadness/depression, even anger.
Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex or D-MER is how this is now being described "in the literature". Not much research on the biologic sequence yet but certainly those who see a large number of women will get this question several times a year.
More info on D-MER at http://www.d-mer.org/Published_Information.html
Best wishes,
Nancy
Nancy Holtzman, RN IBCLC CPN
VP Clinical Content & eLearning
Isis. Parenting Starts Here.
781.429.1419
@nancyholtzman
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
www.isisparenting.com
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