Most mothers feel really good when their milk lets down (Milk Ejection Reflex (MER)). The surge of oxytocin (also sometimes called the “mothering hormone”) makes lots of women feel relaxed and calm. But it’s not this way for everyone. Some women feel a surge of negative emotions when their milk lets down. The website D-MER.org has information, quotes, and treatment ideas. A sample quote from the site:

“I had no idea that this was a common thing! I’ve had that every time I breastfeed! But I didn’t experience it with my other 2 kids, just my 3rd, who’s 4 months old now. I expect to feel a totally hollow, nauseas & weirdly depressed feeling for about 1 min. each time I breastfeed so I’m sure to not have food in my mouth or something because it will make me gag. But then it goes away completely a minute later! I have always blamed it on hormones, but I’m excited to hear that I’m not the only one!”