The prevalence of breastfeeding aversion response in Australia: A national cross‐sectional survey

Abstract

Some women who breastfeed will experience complex ongoing difficulties, such as breastfeeding aversion response (BAR). This recently named breastfeeding challenge is defined as feelings of aversion while breastfeeding for the entire time that the child is latched. This study provides the first prevalence data for the experience of BAR in Australian breastfeeding women. A national online survey investigated the breastfeeding experience of Australian women including data on (1) participant demographics, (2) breastfeeding experience with up to four children, (3) breastfeeding challenges and prevalence of BAR, and (4) the value of available breastfeeding support. This study found that of the Australian breastfeeding women who participated (n = 5511), just over one in five self‐identified as having experienced a BAR (n = 1227, 22.6%). Most reported experiencing some breastfeeding challenges, with only 4.5% (n = 247) having had no breastfeeding complications. Importantly, despite these difficulties, 86.9% of the total women in this study rated their overall breastfeeding experience as good (n = 2052, 37.6%), or very good (n = 2690, 49.3%), and 82.5% of those who experience BAR as good (n = 471, 38.7%) or very good (n = 533, 43.8%). BAR reporting was decreased in higher education and income groups. Women who are breastfeeding for the first time are more likely to encounter difficulties with breastfeeding such as BAR. Complications with breastfeeding are pervasive, but women who can overcome breastfeeding issues often report a positive overall breastfeeding experience.

Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (D-MER): A Novel Neuroendocrine Condition with Psychiatric Manifestations

“…Some mothers refer to a nails-on-chalkboard sensation or a creepy crawly feeling or simply a powerful urge to push the child away.” Flower was specifically writing about aversive feelings when nursing while pregnant. Other investigators have studied agitation and aversion while breastfeeding, including McGuire 17 and Morns 8,18–20 . Through their work, BAR (breastfeeding aversion response, as noted previously) has come to be defined as “feelings of aversion while breastfeeding for the entire time that the child is latched;” 8 this timing contrasts with descriptions of D-MER, which is short-lived and occurs with any letdown, even when the infant is not nursing.…”

“…Some early reports refer to clinical phenomena in which breastfeeding is associated with aversive feelings and unpleasant physical sensations, such as irritability, agitation, or disgust. These experiences have been termed breastfeeding aversion response (BAR) and breastfeeding/nursing aversion or agitation (BAA) 8–10 . The association between negatively valenced, embodied emotions and breastfeeding in BAR and BAA makes these entities superficially resemble D-MER.…”