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What Really Happens to Your Body When examines the head-to-toe effects of common behaviors, actions and habits in your everyday life.
From sore nipples to achy upper-body muscles, low libido and intense hunger, your body goes through many changes while breast or chestfeeding.
And just as your body underwent major changes to produce milk, it must also shift gears when your lactation journey comes to an end. It's true: The weaning process can cause its own set of (sometimes unexpected) physical and emotional symptoms.
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But being well-informed can help normalize your experience and help you navigate the transition with greater ease.
That's why we enlisted experts to share what really happens to your body when you stop breastfeeding, along with ways to manage some of the more surprising side effects of weaning.
Feeling a little down while weaning? You're not imagining it.
"Just like when you're pregnant or lactating, weaning can lead to fluctuations in your hormone levels" that may affect your mood, says Cindy Rubin, MD, IBCLC, pediatrician and breastfeeding medicine specialist at In Touch Pediatrics and Lactation.
There are two hormones responsible for this shift — oxytocin and prolactin, says Melissa Kotlen, IBCLC, RN, an international board-certified lactation consultant, registered nurse and care manager at Boram Care, a postnatal care center.
These are considered "mothering hormones" because they contribute to a sense of love, calm, contentment and attachment, she says.
When you're breastfeeding, your body produces high levels of oxytocin and prolactin, but while you're weaning, those levels dip. That means many of those amazing feelings may dissipate, too, Kotlen says. It's not uncommon to feel tearful, sad, moody or irritable as a result.
Plus, even if you've chosen to wean, you may still feel grief or sadness that your breastfeeding journey has come to an end, Dr. Rubin says.
The choice to stop breast or chestfeeding is a deeply personal one. So if you’re not totally sure you’re ready to wean, hold off, Kotlen says. First, take some time to process your reasons. Once you’ve explored your feelings, you can decide whether weaning now or later is the best option for you.
What You Can Do
Being educated about the weaning process is a great place to start, Dr. Rubin says. Knowing that these mood changes may happen — and that they’re temporary (hormonal shifts tend to settle within days to a few weeks) — can help you through the experience.
Likewise, connecting with other people who are also weaning (via support groups or social media, for example) may help you feel less alone and more supported during this time of transition, Dr. Rubin says.
That said, if these mood changes are persistent and severe, you might be experiencing a more serious mental health issue. Talk to your doctor or a mental health professional, who can provide additional resources and support.
“Postpartum Support International is also a great resource if you're going through any postpartum mood or anxiety disorders, whether or not they are related to lactation or weaning,” Dr. Rubin adds.
Even if your period was fairly regular pre-pregnancy, your monthly cycle may be a little inconsistent while you wean.
