Feeling stressed?? Breastfeed!
Breastfeeding has so many wonderful benefits and decreasing your stress levels is one of them!
When you breastfeed your baby, signals are sent to your pituitary gland that release a hormone called oxytocin (also known as the feel good or love hormone).
Oxytocin is responsible for the myoepithelial cells in the alveoli in your breast to contract sending milk through the ductal so system to your nipple (also called the milk ejection reflex or MER).
Oxytocin is released multiple times during a breastfeeding session and can las up to two minutes.
Oxytocin decreases cortisol (a stress hormone) in turn reducing stress levels and increases a sense of calm. It is also responsible for helping you to bond your baby!
Ever feel extremely thirsty while breastfeeding?? Oxytocin is responsible for that too!
So if you find yourself feeling stressed, find a comfortable place to sit, grab a glass of water, relax and breastfeed your baby!