Are You Sad When You Breastfeed? You Might Have D-MER | Episode 04

Lo & Behold | Pregnancy, Birth, Motherhood

The Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (D-MER) is a physiological breastfeeding condition. This chemical, hormonal response to the moments of milk let down, is an important topic we need to discuss and bring awareness to, as it can affect as many as 1 in 10 mamas.

In this episode of the Lo and Behold podcast, Lo shares a deeply personal and humble story about her breastfeeding experiences with Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (DMER). Lo gets into the emotional and physiological complexities of D-MER, a condition many breastfeeding mothers may unknowingly face.

What’s inside this episode:

• Lo’s breastfeeding experiences with D-MER, the emotional rollercoaster it took her on, and her coping strategies for dealing with this condition.
• The science behind D-MER and why mamas experience this during breastfeeding.
• The impact of hormonal changes, and the importance of knowing this is a physiological response, and not a mental health condition.
• When to seek support - let your provider know if you are experiencing any symptoms of D-MER.

This episode aims to foster awareness, reduce shame, and provide support for mothers navigating similar challenges in their breastfeeding journey. Share this episode with another mama who could find this valuable!

Helpful timestamps:

• 01:22 Lo’s Story: Postpartum Challenges
• 05:24 Discovering DMER
• 09:37 Understanding DMER: Symptoms and Impact
• 18:32 The Emotional Impact of DMER
• 19:04 The Science Behind DMER
• 21:44 Risk Factors and Personal Experiences
• 24:30 Differentiating DMER from Other Conditions
• 27:45 Coping Strategies and Support
• 33:20 Seeking Professional Help
• 34:56 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Mentioned in this episode:

• Checkout Alia’s book:  Before the Let Down Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex and the Breastfeeding Mother
• Read more about D-MER here: https://d-mer.org/
• Lo's blog on D-MER: Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex: Understanding D-MER
• Grab my Breastfeeding Blueprint Course

About your host:

🩺🤰🏻Lo Mansfield, MSN, RNC-OB, CLC is a registered nurse, mama of 4, and a birth, baby, and motherhood enthusiast. She is both the host of the Lo & Behold podcast and the founder of The Labor Mama.

For more education, support and “me too” from Lo, please visit her website and check out her online courses and digital guides for birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum/newborns. You can also follow @thelabormama and @loandbehold_thepodcast on Instagram and join her email list here.

For more pregnancy, birth, postpartum and motherhood conversation each week, be sure to subscribe to The Lo & Behold podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you prefer to listen!

👉🏼 A request: If this episode meant something to you, would you consider a 5 star rating and leaving us a review? Yes, we read them, and yes, they help keep L & B going! ♥️

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Disclaimer

Opinions shared by guests of this show are their own, and do not always reflect those of The Labor Mama platform. Additionally, the information you hear on this podcast or that you receive via any linked resources should not be considered medical advice. Please see our full disclaimer here.

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Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services