Weaning & Depression

So I've been doing research the past couple of days on weaning and depression.  As it would turn out, this is not an uncommon occurrence (see a relevant Huffington Post article here and one on a blog I follow, Cup of Jo here).  Thankfully, a friend of mine sent me the Cup of Jo article a couple of months ago when I first mentioned to her that I thought Lukas might start weaning sometime in the near future.  But then his nursing apathy went away and I continued breastfeeding him until two weeks ago, more or less forgetting about the article.

I was well aware of postpartum depression, as my doctor had warned me about it and asked me at my follow-up appointment how I was doing and told me the signs to look out for.  But no one, until I read the Cup fo Jo post, had warned me about post-weaning depression.  It seems to be a sort of delayed-PPD.

Aside from being sad the first 10 days post breastfeeding, I was my normal self.  Then something happened on day 11.  The sadness was overwhelming.  Day 12 followed with more intense sadness and an deep sense of loss.  I found myself crying at my desk at work for no reason at all.  Nothing was "wrong" but I couldn't stop sobbing.  I then realized that perhaps these emotions were weaning-related.  After more online research, I learned that there are other moms who have experienced the same feelings that I'm currently experiencing.  Yesterday I was not feeling as much sadness and depression as I was feeling anxiety.  It comes and goes, but twice yesterday I had to stop what I was doing and recall the hypnobirthing breathing from my pregnancy class (slow inhale for count of 4, slow exhale for a count of 8).  I was able to calm down and avoid a full on panic attack, which I feared was imminent.  And today, two weeks in, I feel OK.  But I have had restless sleep the past few nights and was up for a few hours last night tossing and turning, when I'm usually a very sound sleeper.  Perhaps another effect from weaning.

It helps to know there is a reason that I feel "off" right now.  My hormones are shifting.  My hormones are to blame.  I keep telling myself this and it is helping me to stay centered and not freak myself out.  But I simply do not feel like myself.  From what I've read, things should get back to normal within 2-4 weeks of weaning (I'm hoping for 2 weeks, as that would be today).  But if it seems to get worse or lasts more than a month, I'm going to call the doctor.  Right now I'm just thankful it's not a deep depression, but just a mild feeling of sadness and melancholy.

So if you're a nursing mom, or might be one day in the future, just be aware that you may have some issues when you stop nursing.  I think it is important for more women to be aware of the possible connection between weaning and depression and know what to look for.  Talk to your doctor.  Research online.  Reach out to friends who have weaned.  Just know that this is normal and there's nothing wrong with getting help if you're feeling depressed.  Lord knows I plan on it if I feel myself slipping into any sadder of a place. Hopefully my hormones are starting to regulate themselves, but if not, I'm calling the doc.  And there is nothing wrong with that. 

If you've stopped nursing, I'd love to hear from you.  Did you have any issues?  How long did they last?  If you don't want to comment, please email me at thenestingswans@gmail.com