Weaning and emotions

[eematwork]

Hi - So, in one of my baby books it said that when weaning you could feel emotions as strong as postpartum depression. Is this true? I was thinking of weaning my baby when she hit a year (in two months) but I am worried about the emotional toll. I had postpartum depression with my first (only BF for 1 month) and don't want to feel that way again.

Also, how can I cut out my last day feeding? Right now I BF in the morning, once in the afternoon (or I pump when at work) and then once before bedtime. I am thinking it may be good to just get rid of that afternoon feeding and continue to BF in morning and night for as long as she wants.

Thanks.

[lolabear]

i think the emotions would come into play when its hard to wean. my kids never had a problem weaning and did it themselves so it didnt really affect me. i was a little sad that my 2nd self weaned at 9 months b/c i thought she wasnt ready but when she was happy with drinking reg milk i was happy plus i was huge and pregnant so it was easier on me in that way too. i think when babies dont want to wean it can be hard. as long as you are prepared and know it could help.

as for the one feeding, you could try giving her something else at that time, some food, distracting her if she really wants to nurse.

[frymommy]

I'm weening my daughter who is almost 7 months (for my own health reasons) and I am crying all the time. Every time my milk decreases I can't stop crying. I've been breastfeeding her 1-2 times a day but it's just an appetizer now but I can't give it up. I wish I could just breastfeed her once a day until she was like 2. I don't know how I will ever get through this. My husband is mad because I'm not taking care of myself and it's like I'm back in post partum. I'm emotionally addicted to breastfeeding:(

[Jacksmommy]

I'm going to agree that it's easiest to wean when it's child-lead and very gradual. The hormone changes are slower and more subtle, and both you and baby have plenty of time to adjust. When weaning must happen in a more abrupt way that is difficult, I would encourage moms to discuss troublesome symptoms with their doctor and to try to have a support systom to turn to.

[whitnessforhim]

I'm going to agree that it's easiest to wean when it's child-lead and very gradual. The hormone changes are slower and more subtle, and both you and baby have plenty of time to adjust. When weaning must happen in a more abrupt way that is difficult, I would encourage moms to discuss troublesome symptoms with their doctor and to try to have a support systom to turn to.

Ditto

[vanillamoon777]

I'm weening my daughter who is almost 7 months (for my own health reasons) and I am crying all the time. Every time my milk decreases I can't stop crying. I've been breastfeeding her 1-2 times a day but it's just an appetizer now but I can't give it up. I wish I could just breastfeed her once a day until she was like 2. I don't know how I will ever get through this. My husband is mad because I'm not taking care of myself and it's like I'm back in post partum. I'm emotionally addicted to breastfeeding:(


Hi! I totally know what you are going through. I am weening my 3 month old, even though I do not want to. Every night I start crying and say to myself, "ok just one more time.......I need to BF one more time" I know that this is one of the hardest things that I will go through but there is one thing that we both should remember......We have sooooooooo many other things to look forward to with our children. And it is always good to know that you are not the only one going through it. I feel like it is an emotional thing for me to. Just take one minute at a time, one day at a time. And we can all support each other!

[colleen0419]

I can totally relate. I am slowly weaning my 15 month old and on days when she hardly nurses at all I am sad. Then again, on days when she is attached to me I feel like going nuts! I think being prepared to feel some emotions may help you to deal with it a little better. Good luck!

[twinva09]

My husband thinks I am crazy! I feel like I am PMSing all the time and all I did was cut out the day time feedings. I still breastfeed in the morning and at bedtime. My skin is covered with zits and I am having really bad periods. I don't know what is going to happen when I stop completely. I am not sure what kind of doctor to go to about this? Does anyone else?

[Prettyskittle82]

You have to go slow... I started feeling really depressed when I went from pumping 2 times to 1 time... so I changed back to pumping one time a little longer. It helped. If you start feeling depressed and stuff, just put it off a little longer.

[Sheena19]

I can already feel the emotion even though I haven't started yet on weaning. I think that is normal, to feel detached from your little one. When my baby was turning 1 I told myself that I am going to wean him and then when he was 1, I said I would be doing it when he can already completely walk. Now, he can already walk but I think I always back out form the idea. I think it is normal to be sad.

[Christal32284]

What a good thread!

My husband thinks I am crazy! I feel like I am PMSing all the time and all I did was cut out the day time feedings. I still breastfeed in the morning and at bedtime. My skin is covered with zits and I am having really bad periods. I don't know what is going to happen when I stop completely. I am not sure what kind of doctor to go to about this? Does anyone else?

I have been zit free since I got pregnant and just today I was wondering whether or not they would return when I stop. I also haven't had a period since before I got prego and it's been Wonderful (in a sing-song tone)!

BFing is definitely emotional. I noticed a few weeks ago that I get really really excited to nurse or pump. A calm floods over me when I nurse DS for the first time after I get home from work. I also feel excited (like a physical rush) every time I get ready to pump at work (okay, I admit, part of the excitement is that I get to check the posts at BFing.com. Ha!).

For the past few days I've been thinking about dropping night sessions.... I've known all along that the feat would be impossible and exhausting... but realizing that weaning before DS is ready could impact me emotionally - that changes things.

I'm gonna let him lead the way! I also get to use this info as a tool when others start to ask me why I'm still nursing. I have a bag of reasons to continue, but for some family and friends, the selfish reasons make the most sense.