D-MER (sadness when breastfeeding)

[Nillynally]

Hi I'm looking for some advice. I am currently 26 weeks pregnant and plan on breast feeding. Since I was a teenager I have suffered from sad nipple syndrome which is a sensation of immense disgust, sadness, homesickness feeling when my nipples are lightly touched/brushed.

I have since read about D-MER which is the same feeling but during milk let down when breastfeeding:
d-mer.org
And although is says the two are linked I'd like to know anyone who had SND prior to being pregnant and then went on to experience D-MER during breastfeeding. Or hopefully not!
Everything I have read doesn't make it clear whether the two are actually linked as DMER says that it's the let down of milk that causes the dysphoria whereas sad nipple obviously isn't as there's no milk let down.
Basically I want to breastfeed and want some clarity!
Thanks!

Wow. I had D-MER and on reading this I realise that I did (and still have) SND. I had no idea this was recognised and need to go Googling!

What a daft name for it, though!

I had no idea there was a name for DMER - I experienced this quite badly, but I was pumping and thought it was related to that. Wish I could help but bumping in case anyone can.

I would recommend finding a good IBCLC for some help - if you happen to be in Dorset or want a phone consultation before you have your baby I can recommend one :)

@SinkGirl did you ever have the feeling before you breastfed/pumped?

@CricketSnicket haha I can't seem to find a proper name for sad nipple syndrome but it makes me laugh 😂

No, I’d never had it before but the way you describe it is just how I felt.

I did see my IBCLC friend posting in Facebook recently about breastfeeding when you have autism and issues with sensory processing / avoidance and I imagine the issues are similar. I would definitely seek some expert advice ahead of time as there may be things you can do before the birth that will help. I managed to keep up with the pumping, every two hours for seven months, despite this (I didn’t choose not to breastfeed, my twins couldn’t latch). I hope you can get the right support - worth talking to your local breastfeeding peer support group but I’d recommend an IBCLC as they have extensive education and really are specialists. If one can’t help you personally they may be able to refer to someone with more knowledge in this area.

Apparently there’s a resource called Aversion Sucks that might be useful for you.

Also this thread has some useful information. One of the commenters has a website called breastfeedingaversion.com - seems like she would be a good person to seek advice from www.facebook.com/1126541044146731/posts/1495590867241745/