Any mothers experience post-weaning depression?

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~A LITTLE INFO ABOUT ME FIRST!! I am 19 years old and have a 2 year old son. My husband and i have been married for one year now, and are still learning how to live with each other! I am finishing prereq classes right now and will be starting my nursing program in August! (yay)

~But about 2 months ago, i gradually started weaning my son from nursing. I started pretty slow, taking away one feeding at a time. And now, we are down to just about no nursing at all (maybe one time early in the morning to go back to sleep, MAYBE) And this whole week, i have been feeling like everything BUT myself. I have had HORriBLE mood swings, and major irritability, insomnia, sadness and tearfullness for no reason, headaches, decreased appetite, and feelings of depression and anger (im very short with my son when he does something wrong, [and then i feel guilty], and short with my husband as well). I have read online about post-weaning depression (which i didnt even know of such thing before) and it seems i fit the criteria. I HAtE feeling like this, and havent felt this way since i was a young teenager. So i guess i just wanted advice from others mothers who have maybe gone through this as well, or knows someone who has. How long will this last??????

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Specializes in Maternity.

i didn't experience post-weaning depression but, i did experience postpartum depression. i had a lot of the similar symptoms that you are describing. it started to consume me for awhile, i had a month where i just wasn't myself. after the 5th week i sought help for it. i suggest you do the same if the problem persists. it can really take over your life and can effect the type of mommy we need to be :)

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

I agree with Isabella's mommy, I got into a funk after I weaned from my last baby. I knew she was my last and she was the only one I was successful at feeding longer than 6 weeks. I have battled depression my whole life *if you knew my life you would know why LOL* and I could feel I was slipping again after I stopped nursing and a lot of other things were going on, I had a hysterectomy and stuff as well. So I got back on my meds and once I could feel I was doing good again for a few months I weaned myself back off them. I am to the point over the past many years that I can tell when I am needing some help. Obviously it sounds like your issue is baby related, but help is help none the less and the end result is the same.

I wish you the best of luck. :)

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I only nursed my daughter for 4 months but I can tell you that I did experience some depression/sadness about the fact that she wasn't nursing anymore and definitely felt hormonal...I don't know if it's exactly what you are going through and it may be stronger for you since you nursed for a lot longer, but I wouldn't doubt it at all if your depression was related to the fact that you stopped breast feeding. I'm sure it's the combination of losing that attachment to your son that you only get by nursing along with your hormones going back to normal since they are no longer needed to make breast milk anymore.

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Specializes in ER/Ortho.

I breast fed my last son until he was a little over a year. I knew he was my last, and it was very hard when it was over. Not only did I go into a funk, but I would't stop producing milk. I tried binding, and eventually the Dr. gave me a pill which was supposed to dry everything up, but didn't. It made me feel like I had the flu all the time. After about 6 months I just gave up, and decided I would live with the milk. It didn't really bother me, but if I was out and a baby cried I could feel it drop, and I would leak the tinest little bit. This literally went on until my son was almost 5, and I stopped breastfeeding when he was a little over a year. As far as the funk I gave it a month, and when it didn't get better I had the Dr prescribe me zoloft which got me over the hump. I think part of the problem was knowing a gaint important part of my life was over, and part was hormonal. Either way in todays world there is no reason to suffer if your having issues, and they don't resolve on their on go see the Dr.

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and make sure you arent pregnant

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I agree with morte and you need to make an appt with your ob/gyn to address your depression.

I was sad too when I stopped breastfeeding but your symptoms merit further inquiry. I wish you the best!

steph

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