Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Aaargh! PMS/PMT, the red mist, post-pregnancy periods and breastfeeding...

2 replies

RainySmallHands · 21/11/2011 15:09

DD2 is 10 months and we are down to morning, sometimes midday, bedtime and 1 or 2 nighttime feeds.

I have just had my second period since having DD, and am really feeling THE RAGE. I assumed that the Aaargh feeling just before my first period was down to a massive hormone surge and that it would die down. But for the last week or so I have felt continuously on edge - as if i am always a hair's breadth from flipping - so much so that sometimes I feel as if my jaw is permanently clenched. I thought that I might be depressed/a terrible mother/need to get divorced/mightily stressed(!) but have now put two and two together and come up with PMT.

There are other factors (of course) - DH has been working away loads recently, DD1 (just 4) is really pushing her boundaries at the minute, we are meant to be moving house soon, and of course Christmas looming large over the horizon - but it does seem to have been worst in the week prior to period. So, based on my sample group of two(!), I am quite willing to diagnose myself with PMT...

So my questions are - does this sound right? Has anyone else experienced it (I didn't really notice much PMT prepregnancy - maybe a day or so...)? And is there anything I can do about it? Anything I can take while BFing?

Going out soon, so I probably won't answer for a while (not being rude, although based on my atrocious behaviour over the last week, rudeness is always an option Blush)

TIA

OP posts:
EauRouge · 21/11/2011 15:17

PMS is such a bugger :( My mum has always sworn by evening primrose (prefer chocolate myself Wink ) and it is safe to take while breastfeeding.

From Kellymom -

"Evening primrose oil is generally considered safe for nursing moms. It is reported useful for nursing moms who are trying to conceive. It is also reported useful for treating postpartum depression, sore nipples during ovulation, PMS, fibrocystic breasts, Raynaud's syndrome and plugged ducts. EPO is derived from Oenothera biennis seeds and is an excellent source of essential fatty acids and their more complex metabolites GLA ( gamma linoleic acid). The suggested dosages that I have seen vary from 500-6500 mg per day for various problems: 500 mg per day has been suggested for breastfeeding moms with sore nipples during ovulation; 1000 mg 3 times a day for PMS or fibrocystic breasts. According to Hale, overt toxicity of this product appears to be quite low. No pediatric concerns have been reported. The Botanical Safety Handbook regards EPO as "safe when used appropriately." Overdoses of essential fatty acids have been known to provoke gall bladder attacks.

I don't know what medicines if any are normally prescribed for PMS but BFN has a drugs and breastfeeding helpline where you can chat to a pharmacist so that is probably a good bet- here.

Good luck, I hope you get it sorted :)

RainySmallHands · 21/11/2011 20:40

Thanks EauRouge, that's really helpful. I took EPO when we were TTC DD2 so I might have some lying around. I hope it works for next month or the week before Christmas is going to be even worse than usual!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page