Outside of pregnancy, breastfeeding is a journey that will require more of her than she ever thought possible. Any nursing mother knows the hard work and dedication, the pain and the tears, the closeness and the joy, the consistent surrendering and offering of her own body to meet the needs of her baby. It’s a powerful and beautiful bond that is unique and personal between each mother and baby.

Now you would think that something so natural as breastfeeding would come easy, and at times it does, but just as mother nature has these things called natural disasters, breastfeeding mothers have trials of their own that they have to overcome. Thankfully there are many resources and a plethora of information available for breastfeeding mothers.

However, in comparison to the amount of information concerning the beginning and middle phases of breastfeeding, there’s not as much openness or talk about the ending phases of breastfeeding in relation to a mother’s emotions.

Have you ever heard of post-weaning depression?

In my experience, I felt unprepared for how sad and even disappointed I would feel when both of my children self-weaned. I remember in the very early days, dreaming about the end of breastfeeding.  I couldn’t imagine that breastfeeding would get any easier, let alone become enjoyable- but it did. Toward the middle of our journey, I found myself wanting to nurse until my youngest turned two. Then, just a few months after her first birthday, she self weaned. When the end came, the last drop of milk gone, I was left with salty tears. In some ways it felt like a rejection by my own children. I always thought that I would initiate the end of our breastfeeding relationship. I found myself experiencing loss, and didn’t feel ready to give up the one thing that only I could provide for my babies.

After researching, reading, and confiding in other mothers, I found that my feelings towards weaning were very common.

In fact, many mothers experience feelings of sadness and even depression during and after the weaning process. Weaning marks a significant change in the mother-child relationship. There’s also research which shows that hormonal changes play a part in these feelings of sadness. Hormone levels of oxytocin and prolactin, which create feelings of happiness, drop during the weaning process. I discovered that it was also normal for mothers to feel relieved and happy during and after the weaning process. Some mothers feel completely “touched out” and are ready for the transition. Sometimes the child has a harder time letting go of the breastfeeding relationship. Other mothers may experience anxiety, irritability, or mood swings.

The point is that there are various reasons for weaning, and there are variations of normal when it comes to how a mother and child may feel during and after that process. The important part is for mom to be aware and able to recognize and accept those emotions, whatever they are, and then find a new normal for herself, the child, and their relationship.

Finally, If you are having a difficult time coping with some of these feelings and need help finding a new normal, look here for some excellent tips. And if difficult feelings don’t subside after a few weeks of weaning, don’t be afraid or hesitant to seek professional help.

Read Now, or Pin for later. Whatever you choose, we thank you for helping our mission to normalize breastfeeding by “sharing the breastfeeding love.”

Taking care of yourself is the best decision you could make for you and your family, and rest assured that other moms have been there. The ending of breastfeeding can be just as difficult as it was starting out, but try to treasure the time that you had, and remember there is hope for feeling better, and new adventures to be had with your child. We get it, and we are cheering you on!

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts to be up to date with the progress of our project!

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our hashtag

#BreastfeedingWorld

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Paige Christian

I’m a proud midwesterner who loves the simple and beautiful things in life. I’m currently a SAHM and loving this season in life where I am privileged to be with my two precious toddlers all day and night. My career focus is in social work. I received my MSW from Asbury University in 2012 and am a licensed social worker. My passions are counseling, writing, researching, teaching, inspiring, and encouraging others, especially mothers. My mama style consists of breastfeeding, cloth diapering, baby led weaning, baby wearing, and some positive parenting approaches. I’m also a mama blogger at My Joyful Nest where I like to encourage mothers on their own journeys.

www.myjoyfulnest.com

The post What happens to me when my baby is weaning? appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

No, you are not having twins.

Yes, you have “gotten big.”

No, you aren’t in labor.

and Yes, you are still pregnant.

The Last Few Weeks of Pregnancy are Hard Enough without all the Questions

As your due date approaches, the daily calls and texts pour in.

How are you feeling? Any baby yet? You’ll let us know, right? Any Contractions? When’s your next doctors appointment?

Are you still pregnant?

In an attempt to happily share your approaching joy, friends and family members are inadvertently rubbing salt in your extremely impatient, hormonal wounds. They don’t realize how unhelpful it is, in your still pregnant state, to receive so many well-meaning texts inquiring over when your baby is coming. YOU don’t even know when your baby is coming, how are you supposed to tell them?!

It’s enough to make you want to throw your phone out the window. Except of course, you need it to call the doctor or midwife, because you, too, are waiting for baby’s arrival.

How to Quickly Stop those “Are You Still Pregnant?” Comments

No one wants to greet your precious baby more than you. To count tiny toes and study the face of the tiny human you have carried inside of you for what seems like forever. However, that doesn’t mean that your in-laws, parents, siblings, and friends aren’t excited, and you don’t want them to think that you don’t appreciate their concern and show of love. You just don’t want to hear about it until you are no longer pregnant.  Now, one of your options is to not TELL anyone the due date. After all, only 2% of babies are born on their actual due date.

A Blanket Statement, on your social media or a mass text to concerned and loving parties ensures no one feels singled out and covers all your bases

Dear Friends and Family Members,

Thank you for all of your support and inquiries about our welfare. Baby is cooking along and seems extraordinarily happy in his little home. I feel bloated, uncomfortable, tired, and excited to meet our little one. I promise, when it is time, we will let you know that baby is on her way earth-side. Until then, well-meaning texts, asking when baby is coming and how I am feeling, only make me feel more pressure for our unknown D-day. Please, think love and well-wishes my way, but let baby grow in peace, for she will come when she is ready. And when she is, Hubby and I will be happy to let you know when to come and greet her. Thank You so much, we love you.

A picture is worth a thousand words, right?

Good Luck Mama, you’ve got this! Baby will be on her way before you know it, hopefully as smooth as possible!

Be sure to join us in our social media accounts to be up to date with the progress of our project!

And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our hashtag

#BreastfeedingWorld

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Lauren Lewis

Lauren Lewis is no stranger to childcare development, having spent over 10 years as a nanny or family childcare provider. She’s the wife of a travel geek, mother of two vivacious children, and has an amazing talent for trailing lost things behind her a la Hansel and Gretel. Her passion for lifting up women and advocating for children pours out in her work as a Central Indiana Event Coordinator, Writer, and Social Media Relations Director for Breastfeeding World. Her life is full of busy, crazy and LOUD. It is full of love and hope, ups and downs. And coffee, always lots of coffee- but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

www.raisinglaurenslittle.wordpress.com

The post How to Quickly Stop the “Are You Still Pregnant?” Comments appeared first on Breastfeeding World.