Low Libido And Sex While Breastfeeding...

For many new moms, the interest in having sex while breastfeeding is very low. Here's what's going on with your libido.

As a result, new mom's sex drive is almost non-existent. This can be a great frustration both for the woman and for her hubby.

Some moms I've talked to say that they almost felt ill for some time because of the lost interest in having sex while breastfeeding. How about you, mom? Vote in this poll on mom's libido when breastfeeding.

So what's going on?

There are several reasons for the low libido that many new mothers experience. Hormones play a large role, but are not the whole explanation. Lack of sleep and pain are other factors. Leaking breasts (not so sexy), stretch marks (not so sexy either according to Mom) and feeling uncertain about the post-pregnancy appearance also play part. (And did I mention pain and no sleep...)

Learn more about why your libido is so low and how to deal with it here.

The Lost Sex Drive While Breastfeeding

• The Breastfeeding Hormones Suppress Libido
• Lack Of Sleep Can Drive Your Insane
• Being Over Touched Doesn't Help
• Hurting Nipples And Painful Sex
• The (Not So Sexy) Post Pregnancy Body
• Does The Libido Ever Come Back?
• Visitors' Love Life With A New Baby

The Breastfeeding Hormones Suppress Libido

Two hormones great for breastfeeding and really bad for your sex drive are involved.

The first one is oxytocin. This hormone is responsible for the breast milk let-down reflex.

Funny, oxytocin is also called the love hormone and contributes to the strong wish moms have to cuddle their baby. Oxytocin is also involved in lovemaking (there by its nick name), and is actually released during orgasm. At least in theory, one would think that this should benefit the interest in sex while breastfeeding, but no (for most new moms.).

Instead it can make the breast milk leak during orgasm, which can be a real turn off for some moms. (If this is your case, make love with a bra on (with nursing pads). This way, it doesn't have to disturb you. )

Estrogen is another hormone affecting your interest in sex while breastfeeding. Estrogen levels are very low while breastfeeding. This prevents ovulation, lowers interest in sex and may cause vaginal dryness. Lubricants really are a must for many new moms.

You can learn more about the breastfeeding hormones here.

Interestingly, new studies show that new dad is also affected by changed hormone levels when a new baby arrives. The effects may not be as dramatic as for the mom, but they are definitely real. You can read about how a new baby makes dad's testosterone levels fall here.

Lack Of Sleep Can Drive Your Insane

No sleep can drive you crazy. It has been used for torture. As a new mom, I'm sure you understand why. It drives you nuts! Certainly doesn't make you feel like trading a couple of hours of sleep for some hot time in bed with your partner.

For some new mom sleep tips, click here.

Being Over Touched Doesn't Help

A mom I talked to told me that when she was home with her first baby, she really found it hard to even let Dad take off his shoes in the evening before giving the baby to him. She was so over touched!

When being a new mother, it is really easy to start longing for not being touched by anyone for a change. Great for the sex drive? Not.

On the other hand, if left alone for a while, it can actually be great to be touched by ones partner instead of someone who keeps throwing up at you (no matter how cute)...

So dads, be patient! And carry the baby around while mom takes a shower, reads a book, sleeps or just sits on the couch. This may lead to miracles!

Hurting Nipples And Painful Sex

Giving birth is painful, breastfeeding can be really painful at least in the beginning, and lovemaking can be painful for a long time due to soreness, stitches and dryness.

Then the back and neck starts hurting from carrying the baby around and sleeping and nursing in weird positions.

Then there's the headache from serious lack of sleep...

Pain, pain, pain.

Not exactly great for the interest in sex while breastfeeding.

The (Not So Sexy) Post Pregnancy Body

Mom has a fantastic body. Period. Carrying a child for 9 months and then giving birth to it one way or the other, is hard work and a miracle.

However, as the body might change quite a bit from its pre-pregnancy look, many women feel self conscious over their bodies post pregnancy. Unfortunately, this may also have negative effects on the sex drive.

Try to give yourself a break! In two ways... First of all, you are great - no matter what you see in the mirror! You just gave birth; don't demand from yourself to have a perfect body! Secondly, start working to get back in shape over time. Start exercising slowly and think a little bit about what you eat if you're worried about the baby fat.

Buy a stretch mark cream, if the marks really bother you. Creams can never take the marks away completely, but there are creams, like Trilastin SR that have well documented positive effects.

Do your best to fix what you have to (and can) and try to love the rest.

Does The Libido Ever Come Back?

Excellent! (And true.)

But I won't lie to you; it can take a long time. And since it is not only the breastfeeding hormones that affect mom's libido negatively, weaning from breastfeeding may not turn mom into a sex goddess overnight. Chances are that when a couple embarks into parenthood, it will take years until their sex life is completely back on track.

So what to do? Well, one important thing is actually to accept this change. The more you worry about it the worse the situation will feel.

The other thing is of course to do the best of the situation. Be nice to each other. Have fun together. Have sex, at least now and then.

And Dad, don't panic and don't hunt Mom down. That will certainly not help your over touched, exhausted partner get her sex drive back!

Mom, do have sex from time to time. Having sex is actually great for your interest in sex while breastfeeding (and for your relationship).

By the way, not all moms have a low sex drive while breastfeeding. If your libido is just as usual (or better), be grateful and have fun!

Breastfeeding or not - you'll find a lot of useful survival tips for the new mom here.

Would other parents find this valuable? Share it!

And here you can read some more testimonies by moms and dads on how their love life has changed after pregnancy.

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