Can your child be affected in any way if your are very upset while breastfeeding?

Answer 1

No. "Upset" isn't contagious!!

Stress will also *not* cause a decrease in your milk production. It can cause less milk to "let down" more slowly. It will affect a single feeding, and it is really hard to keep the same level of stress for hours on end (although, obviously, sometimes it does happen). Worst case scenario with *normal* types of upsets is that your baby will want to nurse again sooner and will get plenty of milk the next time.

If you have a serious situation (a death in the family, for instance), you can still nurse if you try this. For 30-60 *seconds* before you nurse, try to relax. Imagine yourself in your favorite place, or do the relaxation exercises you learned in childbirth classes (or elsewhere). Then nurse. Your baby will be fine.

Answer 2

The "upset" won't transmit through the breastmilk but remember, breastfeeding is way more than milk. It's also a way for you and your baby to connect and share warmth and love. For your baby, it's like the world's best hug. If you are upset while you have your baby at the breast, he/she will probably pick up on that and have some trouble relaxing and then have some trouble eating. If he doesn't eat well, he will be fussy later and probably won't sleep well. If you are anxious, the baby will start to get anxious. If you are frustrated, the baby will start to get frustrated. If you aren't relaxed and focusing on the baby, he will notice. If you are really upset about something, try to calm down and relax a little before you feed your baby. Or find a nice quiet room or play some relaxing music while you feed. Maybe try a rocking chair. Concentrate on the baby and try not to think about anything else but how cute he is and how much you love him. Staying calm will help him eat better and a nice quiet feeding session will probably help you feel better too.

Answer 3

Your baby will be affected any time you are under a lot of stress or very upset-- not so much because of the breastfeeding, but just because you're its ma and it is bonded to you. They definitely are affected by our moods-- a lot like dogs and horses and cats.

As far as whether your milk changes chemically-- well, when you're under stress your body puts out adrenalin and other stress hormones. I suppose it's possible that these come through the milk but I don't know for sure. Even if they did, I don't think it would harm your kid. Babies have their own times of stress-- that's why they cry. It's part of life. As long as you are not terribly unhappy all the time you should be fine.

Be sure to call your parenting hotline (each county in the us should have one or the hospital will) if you are under a lot of stress and need some one to talk to or help out. Good lluck.

Answer 4

Yes! I breastfed for 10 months and I went through a couple really hard times during those 10 months. Your milk won't go away but it may decrease. Make sure that even if you are upset you are still eating well, and drinking lots of water! Also, your baby can sense the tension even when she's not nursing. But, yes, it can come through your milk and the baby may be cranky after nursing. The last time I went through a time I was really upset was when my daughter was 10 months, and this was when she quit nursing altogether. I think the consistency may change when you become too upset. Just make sure to take good care of yourself because your child is the most important thing, and he or she needs that nourishment from you. keep your head up and I wish you good luck!

Answer 5

Your child will be affected if you are upset, but that has nothing to do with breastfeeding. Your child can sense your moods and if you are upset, it will make her upset. But, breastfeeding will do no harm, in fact only good. There was a study that just came out that actually showed that breastfed babies cope with anxiety better than formula fed babies.

Answer 6

It surely does affect your baby if you are upset while breast feeding. Remember what effects you transmits right over to the baby. Chemicals circulating in the blood while you are upset go directly into milk production. What the mother takes in thru the mouth, skin, emotions, in form of nutrients, hormones, antibodies, medicine, alcohol, nicotine, water, air, happiness, sadness, stress, etc. effects the baby a great deal. Be careful that you are in a balanced state of mind because the mother is the basis for a healthy life.

Answer 7

Do you not enjoy breastfeeding and feel like it is not right for you? I know of women that have hated to breastfeed and have become very depressed doing it b/c they thought they had to do it. If you don't like breastfeeding maybe you could just try pumping? Just a suggestion.

Answer 8

You must be from the islands. I heard if a mother that is breastfeeding gets upset that her milk will go bad.

Answer 9

If you are tense or upset, it COULD affect your letdown reflex and make it slower possibly which could be frustrating to the child at the start of the nursing session.

Try some deep, relaxing breaths to center yourself.

Answer 10

Yes very much because you are tense and that is a special time just for you and the baby to bond. You really need to be relaxed in a quiet place and hold your baby close to you and the magic bonding will happen.