Health & Medicine

Bizarre Things Happen When A Woman Breastfeeds

Kharen
First Posted: Dec 05, 2016 05:37 AM EST

Breastfeeding is one of the most natural and normal thing a woman's body is capable of. Breastfeeding is good for both moms and babies. But if one is a new mom, she may find some weird things that will surprise her or even shock her.

According to Fox News, these things happen when a woman breastfeeds her baby:

 

Breasts "consume" themselves. The moment a woman stop breastfeeding, the body will undergo involution -- the shrinking or returning to a former size. Diana West, an internationally board-certified lactation consultant and director of media relations for La Leche League, said that it is also a process by which the cells in the breasts that make milk deteriorate and self-absorb because they are no longer needed. It is an amazing activity of a body wherein the parts of the body or system deteriorates when it is no longer used.

Breasts "leak" during sex. When oxytocin, also known as the love hormone, is released from the pituitary gland, it allows for milk to "let down" from the breasts. Oxytocin has also been marked as the hug hormone, cuddle chemical, moral molecule and the bliss hormone due to its effects on behavior, including its role in love and in female reproductive biological functions in reproduction. Tipper Gallagher also said that "Oxytocin is released anytime you do something pleasurable."

A mix of emotions experience. When the oxytocin is released, a woman will probably feel happy when she breastfeeds. "Just like orgasm can cause milk letdown, milk letdown can give you feelings of pleasure- sexual pleasure," Gallagher said, as quoted by Hoholok.com. Oxytocin can also influence your social behavior and emotions.

The contractions are not over. Since a woman is still releasing oxytocin during breastfeeding, there will be subsequent conractions. Oxytocin regulates child birth and breastfeeding. It helps the body to cope with activities after giving birth such as breastfeeding.

Breasts can be as hard as rock. When breastfeeding, a woman's breasts can get so big and hard that they look like balloons ready to explode. Engorgement is normal in the first few days after a woman gave birth, or if she has not completely emptied them.

One might feel embarrassed or totally comfortable. When it comes to breastfeeding in front of other people, one might feel completely comfortable or more modest while others feel a little embarassed when breastfeeding in the public. In fact, six out of 10 breastfeeding does not want to do their breastfeeding in public and a third feel embarrassed or uncomfortable doing it away from home, according to a survey out of the U.K.

Breastfeeding is possible after breast surgery. Good news! If one had breast surgery, then one can still breastfeed. In fact, a recent study presented at the International Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery conference found that 94 percent of babies born to mothers who had surgery were able to nurse.

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