Weaning—or transitioning a baby from breastfeeding to formula or food—involves hormonal, physiological, social, and physical changes that can cause a range of changes for a woman’s body and mind.
These changes are a normal part of the process, but they catch many women by surprise.
This article explores why these changes happen, and how you can support your body through the process.
How does weaning from breastfeeding affect your hormones?
It’s well known that we experience some massive hormonal changes during pregnancy and postpartum, but many women don't anticipate the huge hormonal shift that happens during the process of weaning.
When you wean your baby, the hormones that changed to support milk supply - namely, prolactin and oxytocin - are now shifting back to equilibrium. In other words, your body is getting back to your own personal baseline levels of hormones.
Prolactin is the hormone that tells the body to produce breast milk. Prolactin also produces the hormone oxytocin, which is often nicknamed “the love hormone” or “baby bonding hormone.” Oxytocin can give you a euphoric and calm feeling while breastfeeding.
Symptoms you may experience from this change in my hormones
As prolactin and oxytocin levels decrease, progesterone and estrogen levels will begin to rise. In addition, this hormone shift may stimulate your menstrual cycle to return if it has not already.
This means that you are not only managing the decrease in all the ‘feel good' hormones but are also dealing with the hormonal shifts that come with our menstrual cycles. Some symptoms of weaning from breastfeeding can include the following:
- Sadness
- Anxiety
- Breast engorgement
- Weight gain
- Insomnia
- Difficulty concentrating or "mom brain"
- Dry mouth
Are anxiety and depression normal during this process?
Anxiety and depression can be a part of the weaning process. Don’t feel like you need to manage these feelings on your own. Be vocal with your healthcare practitioners and seek out the support of a therapist who has experience with women in your same stage of life.
How Long Before You Feel Normal Again?
There is no specific timeline for your hormones adjusting to a place of normalcy again. The length of time it takes for your body to readjust depends on a number of factors, like your own unique reproductive system, how quickly you wean, and certain lifestyle factors like diet (and nutrient deficiencies).
Strategies To Cope With The Changes
Many women are not expecting the mental and emotional changes brought on by weaning, but there are things you can do to cope with these hormonal shifts to help make the process a bit more manageable.
Wean Slowly and Gradually
The slower you wean, the more gradual the hormonal changes will be. This won’t eliminate all symptoms, but can help lessen them.
Bond With Your Little One in Other Ways
Spending close quality time with your little one can help replace the bonding time of your typical breastfeeding session or sessions. This will allow you both to still feel close and connected and can also release oxytocin to keep some of the feel good hormones coming.
Take Care of Your Physical Health And Mental Health
Just like in other phases of life, certain lifestyle factors can have a profound impact on your physical, mental, and hormonal health.
Finding ways to manage stress (like gentle breathing or meditation), get daily movement, limit highly processed or refined foods, limit alcohol and caffeine, can go a long way toward supporting your transition from breastfeeding.
Don’t hesitate to seek out a mental health professional to help you work through some of your worries, concerns, and other struggles.
Continue prenatal supplementation
Many women feel like they can stop taking their prenatal supplements as they wean. However, it is important to continue these supplements to fully nourish your body through the process. After weaning, you may consider switching to a Women’s Multi. If you’re planning for another pregnancy, continue your Prenatal Multi.
Other supplements that can support weaning include Sleep & Relaxation Support for stress and sleep struggles, Stress Support for gentle stress management, and Cognitive Support for the feelings of brain fog or “mom brain” that can accompany weaning.
The Bottom Line
Your body goes through a significant shift when you stop breastfeeding. While you can’t avoid these changes, it helps to be aware that they are coming. We hope this article helps you feel less alone and more prepared.
