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For some women, when breastfeeding stops, the sadness begins. At least that is what happened to me. But it wasn’t just sadness. It was irritability, lack of patience and physical discomfort. I just wasn't feeling like myself.
It was only in talking with other moms that I realized that these symptoms are more common than I knew. There are so many support groups for women to help with breastfeeding. What about those of us that are quitting?
I made the decision to nurse all three of my children, but prior to having kids I was not very comfortable with the idea of breastfeeding. Although I wasn’t sure that it was right for me, I gave it a chance for the nutritional benefits for my children. I have to say, with each baby, it felt more natural but I was always ready for my baby to graduate from breastfeeding. Or so I thought.
Imagine my surprise when after weaning my 3rd son, I found myself missing the very thing that I never thought I would do. We just celebrated his first birthday. Do I really miss nursing him? Am I emotional because he is growing out of his baby stage? Is it because I believe that he is my last baby and I will never breastfeed again? What is this change that is happening to me? Is it the shift in hormone levels in my body? My head was filled with questions as my heart continued to ache.
It is not only the emotional factors. I’m fatigued, experiencing headaches, soreness in my breasts, and I have PMS-type nausea. This is something that I also never experienced with my other children.
I have found information on women experiencing sadness and guilt after making the decision to quit breastfeeding before a year’s time. There is not much information available for women who have breastfed for a year or longer and then stopped.
For me, it is just helpful to talk about it and know that I am not alone and not crazy. I have a great support group of friends and an understanding husband. With each day that passes, I can feel that things are getting better. My hope is to share my story with other mothers. You are not alone.
Add a Comment28 Comments
I am exhausted!! Like first trimester exhausted. My son is 3!! So I was more than ready to have my body back. I did not experience enforcement since he was only nursing at nap time, bedtime and early morning....I did not remember this from weaning my daughter. I feel like my superpowers have left me. I am a mere mortal who must....sleep..
August 6, 2014 - 12:37pmThis Comment
This is EXACTLY how I feel right now, so happy i'm not the only one experiencing this. I seriously thought something was medically wrong with me! So tired and depressed :(
September 12, 2014 - 1:56pmThis Comment
I just started the weaning process with my 11 month old this week. Tonight she was having a difficult time getting to sleep so I feel like I was nursing her every 5 minutes. At one point I started feeling really uncomfortable and just wanted to stop, this has never happened to me before. Breast feeding has always been fine for us. I've fed her twice since then and I cried both times. I hope this random sadness doesn't last. I don't know where it came from and I don't know what to do.
November 21, 2012 - 12:44amThis Comment
I had the migraines, naseau, depression, anxiety but it wasn't until 5 months after I stopped. It's bee. rough. 3 months later it's better b/c of changes in meds but still there. Are there any natural remedies? I found articles that talked about this. but not very many suggestions on remedies.
November 4, 2012 - 5:20pmThis Comment
I had the migraines, naseau, depression, anxiety but it wasn't until 5 months after I stopped. It's bee. rough. 3 months later it's better b/c of changes in meds but still there. Are there any natural remedies? I found articles that talked about this. but not very many suggestions on remedies.
November 4, 2012 - 5:19pmThis Comment
I had the migraines, naseau, depression, anxiety but it wasn't until 5 months after I stopped. It's bee. rough. 3 months later it's better b/c of changes in meds but still there. Are there any natural remedies? I found articles that talked about this. but not very many suggestions on remedies.
November 4, 2012 - 5:11pmThis Comment
I weaned my 17 month old son this weekend and am feeling the sadness. Thanks for your article. There should never be pressure on moms to wean before they are ready (mom and baby).
February 22, 2012 - 8:21amThis Comment
Glad you found it and hope it was helpful. Hang in there.
February 22, 2012 - 4:04pmThis Comment
What a relief to read all of the comments about this issue. I am currently weaning my twins and only pumping 20 ounces a day. I noticed an awful, unsettling deppression when I reduced from pumping 30 ounces to the 20 ounces. I felt inadequate, like I was not needed, not appreciated, and the depression made me not want to be here living my life. I was devastated at my irrational thoughts, but I knew it was a hormone issue. In the last couple days my moodiness had increased and I began having night sweats (which hadn't happened since pregnancy). I was concerned and contacted my doctor. He refered me to urgent care. Urgent care referred me to a behavioral center to be evaluated which was extreme. I walked into the center and found out it was a place that admitted patients to watch them for 24 to 72 hours. I walked away from the center frustrated. I didn't need to be locked up. I needed to find ways to balance my hormones and stop the depression. If my doctor thought I needed antidepressants he should have referred me to a psychiatrist. So these postings made me realize that I am not alone and I am not imagining this issue. Thank you to everyone who has posted.
February 11, 2012 - 3:19amThis Comment
Oh me too! ive just weaned my 19 month old. I wanted to, I was over breastfeeding and thought I would fel relieved, but instead I've just been crying instead. My daughter would still have milk if I let her, she still has 'pretend milk' which just means a fully clothed cuddle with her face on my breast! I thought maybe I should start feeding her again, but it's also nice to hear that this grief is normal.
October 24, 2011 - 7:47pmThis Comment