Breastfeeding and Sex

There are numerous benefits to breastfeeding, but you may find that it also cause a number of physical changes in your body. Breastfeeding can indeed change your sexuality, but not necessarily for better or for worse. Three things are more likely to occur while you breastfeed: you'll feel over stimulated or 'over touched,' you'll notice a decrease in vaginal secretions, and you may eject milk during lovemaking.

Milk Ejection
Oxytocin, the hormone responsible for the milk let-down reflex, is also released during orgasm and is the hormone behind a woman's need to cuddle. For these reasons, it's often called the love hormone. Because you release oxytocin during lovemaking or orgasm, it is normal to notice milk ejection. Some women will only leak a few drops while others spurt milk in greater quantities. Some couples find this an added bonus of breastfeeding and enjoy the experience greatly. Other women feel uncomfortable with it. If it bothers you, wear breastfeeding pads under your bra to reduce the amount of milk sprayed.

Vaginal Dryness
Nursing hormones are at work on your body and they're decreasing the amount of vaginal lubrication. As a couple, remember that vaginal dryness does not comment on the woman's level of arousal at all. Use personal lubricants to make up for this time of drought.

Feeling Over Stimulated
A woman who is breastfeeding may feel over touched as her infant will feed every two hours. This doesn't mean she doesn't want to be cuddled or touched sexually. Just take some more time to ease into physical contact. Remember to provide verbal cues to your husband indicating what you want to happen.

Unsure about sex during breastfeeding? Talk to other women about it in the forum