Something You May Not Know About Breastfeeding: Depression After Weaning

I can't thank you enough!! I BF my daughter for three yrs! It was the best! I caught so muchgreif in doing it for so long but I did the child lead weaning. I still had to give her a nudge because she woulda gone on forever! Its been a couple mnths now and I'm still sad. Everynow and then instinct kicks in and its like its time to nurse. Then I go oh yeah! She would if I let her. She still has to lay on em. I just miss it! It was great to read tis to know I'm not alone!

La Tomate -

I did the same as you for just as long as you for my first (daughter). I was an EPer and proud of it! And yes, it is exactly the same as BFing with all the hormones in place and everything. The only thing for me is that I don't remember being like this last time. My husband thinks differently, but I don't know. Lately, my son has started nursing more again...mainly because we are doing holiday travelling and I think its comforting right now. I bet once things settle down he will start weaning again and UGH...I will feel depressed again.

I think I am experiencing this too. Is there anything I can do to help myself? I have just felt awful the past few days.

I'm glad you mentioned this, at the time I went through this I felt very much alone and "it's just me".

I should mention though, that I never breastfed in the traditional sense (although my "breastfeeding buddy" would beat me up for saying such a thing!) ... as I pumped for 10 months and after "weaning" - I went through 3-4 weeks of awfulness. Panic attacks, depressions, lethargy, exhaustion.... All I wanted to do was lie on the sofa all day.

So yah. It's not just "traditional" BFers that have to look out for this, but ladies who pump too... let's face it - it's the same process (making and getting rid of milk) just a different technique.

I can't believe that I am having to deal with depression now when I thought I was in the clear for post-partum depression! My son is a year and hasn't been nursing as much anymore. He is self weaning and I am not feeling like myself AT ALL. I'm crying, feeling nauseous, anxious, headaches, just plain blah. I can't stand it. I do have a history of depression so I was happy that post-partum turned out alright. All I am hoping for is this to go away. Since my son isn't completely weaned I wonder if the depression will go on for longer until he does completely stop. Ugh...

Wow...thanks for the great article. I'm currently weaining my 1 year old child. He is our second and I didn't experience any of the nausea, headaches, etc. with my first, but I have so many pregnancy type symptoms this time! (and I'm not pregnant!) On top of that I've been sad too! I am so ready to be through with BFing and also NOT ready.....that really doesn't make sense does it? I'm glad someone else experienced this too...at least I know I'm not alone!

I stopped feeding my 1 year old three days ago and can't stop crying. She's doing fine, it doesn't seem to be bothering her at all but I'm sore and teary and have a terrible headache. Glad to know I'm not going mad. Thanks Susan :-).

I am so glad I read your article. It has been 3 days since I last breastfed my 7 month old daughter. I feel like I am missing something. I hold her close to me and rock her and hug her, but it's not the same. I feel ... like you said ... sort of like I'm greiving. The reason I weaned her at this time was because she started BF less and less as she ate real food. Also, I was having to eliminate all dairy out of my diet because she has a milk allergy. That is hard to do! On top of that, I would have horrible cramping in my breast every time she would BF. So, in my head it was time to stop, but I guess in my heart I didn't want to yet. I've cried now all 3 days about this. I am a nurse, so I figured it was hormonal and that it was all in my head. But, this really is something other women experience. Thank you for showing me that!