The short answer is yes. The hormones that your body produces when you breastfeed can impact on your libido. However, as a new mum, you’re also likely to be fatigued, possibly in pain and the stress of caring for a new baby are also likely to be factors in your lack of desire for sex. It’s not surprising if you’re waking up at all hours to feed your baby that you will be feeling less than amorous. A partner who is less than helpful may also make you feel less inclined to have sex.
The good news is that this shouldn’t last forever. For a few months, while you adjust and if, as is often the case, your ovulation is delayed by the breastfeeding, you may be ‘off’ sex, but your sex drive will return.
Of course, every woman is different too and while some report a lack of desire for sex, others don’t notice any change at all and some breastfeeding mums report that they experience a greater appetite for sex.
The most important thing is to communicate with your partner, and make him understand that it’s not a lack of desire for him, but a lack of desire in general that is the problem. Spend time together and find other ways to be intimate together, but don’t feel pressured to rush into sex that you don’t want and remember that the health benefits that breastfeeding offers your baby more than outweigh the temporary dip in your libido.
