Half Of Women Feel Aroused While Breastfeeding – But It’s Nothing To Be Ashamed Of
Most people are bound to feel uncomfortable hearing about how many mothers get aroused when breastfeeding, but experts explain that it’s completely natural. [Photo: Rex]
A study into breastfeeding has revealed that a huge number of mums have experienced sexual arousal while nursing their child.
According to Fusion, somewhere between 33 and 50 per cent of women get aroused during breastfeeding – some to the point of orgasm. Clearly it’s a topic that feels so taboo that no one talks about it, with women likely to feel ashamed that they experience such an uncontrollable sensation while feeding their baby.
But these stats show that it’s hugely common and not something that a woman can control. Instead, it’s just “how we’re wired,” says Mary Jo Podgurski, a nurse and childbirth educator. Basically, it’s completely natural.
When you look at it from a scientific point of view, it’s clear that it’s all down to a woman’s hormones. It definitely doesn’t mean that mothers left, right and centre are being turned on by their babies.
Instead, these feelings are down to the two chemicals that are released while breastfeeding: Prolactin, which stimulates milk production, and oxytocin. The latter is the “love”, “feel good” or “cuddle” hormone that a woman’s brain releases to cause the uterus to contract. This is the same hormone released when you orgasm and give birth.
Scientists and academics are quick to reassure mums that feeling aroused during breastfeeding is nothing to be ashamed of and at least a quarter of women who’ve admitted to being turned on during breastfeeding feel like it needs to be talked about more openly – particularly between midwives/health visitors/GPs and new mothers.
“There is nothing to be embarrassed about,” says lactation consultant Susan Condon.
“It’s a normal physiological response to lactation hormones. Breastfeeding feels good! If it didn’t, very few mothers would do it.”
But considering we live in a world where are huge number of women are still shamed for breastfeeding in public, or posting a “brelfie” (breastfeeding selfie) on Instagram, it’s easy to see why this is a subject that most people wouldn’t want to touch with a barge pole – let alone admit to experiencing.
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