Macrina Heise says not all types of providers are up to speed on D-MER, but most lactation consultants are familiar with the condition and how to help.âA lactation consultant is a good place to start because she wonât be questioned. D-MER is not the "breastfeeding aversion" that can happen to some mothers when nursing while pregnant or when nursing older toddlers.
If a mother feels more connected, safer, and like a better mother because the baby is at the breast, sheâs pulling from a better state to deal with that negative reaction.âMacrina Heise says some women find relief from taking natural supplements or medications to support their dopamine levels. D-MER is associated with negative emotions only with a MER.Many different words are used to explain the feelings that take place with D-MER. In D-MER, milk release causes a surge of negative emotions for a breastfeeding mom. Meaning, … There is anecdotal evidence that stress, dehydration and caffeine may worsen symptoms of D-MER. As D-MER.org explained, breastfeeding mothers with D-MER feel a sudden onset of Certified lactation consultant Alia Macrina Heise, IBCLC, the author of âYouâre talking about feeling fine and enjoying your life and your baby, and then 12 to 24 times a day for two minutes at a time, you want to kill yourself,â she explains.Since D-MER is so newly recognized, the exact reason it happens isn't known. breastmilk is the best healthy nutrition food for newborn baby. D-MER is a fairly rare condition which can affect some breastfeeding women.D=Dysphoria which is defined in the Macquarie Dictionary as a state of dissatisfaction, anxiety, restlessness or fidgetingD-MER is characterised by negative emotions, that occur seconds before a mother’s milk ejection reflex when breastfeeding or expressing or with a spontaneous MER (ie milk releasing when not breastfeeding or expressing).D-MER is very different from Postnatal Depression (PND) or an anxiety disorder. For example they may describe it as a ‘sigh’. Giving the mom as much support as possible in order to keep her in the best state of wellness means the D-MER is going to impact her less because sheâs pulling from a store of wellness versus unwellness.âWomen who think they may be experiencing D-MER should consider seeking out a lactation consultant. Macrina Heise says for some mothers, âSome report pumping is easier. Still, some strongly supported theories exist. Dysphoric milk ejection reflex isnât something most people have heard of, but expectant mothers should be aware of the condition before it can happen to them. Moms who go into general practitioners are having to take some proof and case studies and some are still told they have postpartum depression, and that can be very discouraging. âD-MER is going to bring her lower if sheâs already struggling. It is felt at this time that this is possible because the bonding and oxytocin effect is greater when nursing at the breast than it is with spontaneous letdowns and with pumping. For mothers with severe D-MER, a medical adviser may discuss the use of a specific medication.Cox S, (2010), A case of dysphoric milk ejection reflex (D-MER), Breastfeeding Rev, 18(1):16–18.Heise AM, Dysphoric milk ejection reflex (www.D-MER.org)Heise AM, Wiessinger D, (2011), Dysphoric milk ejection reflex: A case report, International Breastfeeding Journal, 6(6):1–6.© Australian Breastfeeding Association December 2018The Australian Breastfeeding Association receives funding from the Australian Government. In order to make breast milk, dopamine (a hormone and neurotransmitter in the brain linked to feeling pleasure) levels must fall for prolactin (the hormone that helps women produce milk) levels to rise. Some of the most frequent are:The current theory is that D-MER occurs as a result of inappropriate activity of a hormone, dopamine, when the MER is activated. Impatience with baby at the breast, irritability from nipple pain, sadness during pumping because of separation from the baby; these things are not D-MER.