Hormonal changes in breast milk during menstrual cycle affecting baby?!

[SusannaAndSue]

I’m noticing a pattern that may be coincidence but wondered if anyone else has experienced this.

I think my baby is not as happy on the run up to my period. Sadly I have my periods although I’m breastfeeding. Baby is 8 months and I think for last 3 months she’s been unsettled and sensitive on my run up to my period. I’m wondering if the hormones in my breast milk are giving her a type of secondary pmt! Or she’s picking up on my pmt and just reflecting it.

I experienced this with my daughter from 10 months of age, and continued with every monthly cycle thereafter. It was a change in the taste of the milk as she told me 'yuk' and used to gag on it too. She fed til 4 years of age so was able to tell me! I am a lactation consultant and it does happen, and can cause short spells of breast refusal.

It's a long time ago for me, but I distinctly remember noticing this with DC1.

I got pregnant again when DC1 was only seven months. He weaned himself off when I got to 12 weeks, just didn't seem to like the taste any more. Hormones again I'm sure.

I was never quite sure if I was short tempered or if my babies were really more grumpy. I do think my supplymtook a bit of a dip in the couple of days before though as they both tended to feed more and then settle as my period arrived.

Apparently extra calcium and magnesium are supposed to help. Not tested it myself as I didn't find this till after my youngest weaned. [https://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/herbs/natural-treatments/#calcium]