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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Weaning from BFing - very hormonally sensitive. Anyone else?

18 replies

Stripedmum · 01/09/2013 18:09

DD is 22 weeks and I want to get her to 6 months EBF before starting solids and a bottle of formula to start weaning her from BFing.

Ideally I would have liked to feed her until she self weaned however I am absolutely sure my PND is related to the low estrogen levels caused by BFing. I was in a state until DS self weaned at 10 months.

The big but is that dropping feeds also affects me emotionally. Every time I dropped one with DS I'd become more fragile.

So how best to tackle this? I need to wean her for my emotional health, but even doing so is going to be fraught.

Am I alone in this weird hormonal nightmare?

OP posts:

Original poster

Stripedmum · 02/09/2013 08:16

Anyone?

OP posts:

Forgetfulmog · 02/09/2013 08:19

Sorry no advice I'm afraid. I assume there's nothing you can take to increase your levels of estrogen to enable you to carry on bfeeding?

vix206 · 02/09/2013 08:25

Stripedmum. You are not alone!!! I suffered absolutely terribly with this problem. Every time I dropped a feed I went into a very dark depression for at least a month. The worst episode was when I suddenly night weaned at 8 months. I'm not sure what to suggest to you, I didn't want to take meds for it so I rode it out but it was bloody awful and at times I came close to madness (not joking).

I did go to gp at one point who diagnosed it as delayed pnd and put me on the mini pill. Within 10 days I went from depressed to violently angry (not me at all) so I stopped taking them and never returned to doctor

Assuming your periods have started again, I found that with each period my hormones would settle down that bit more.

Aside from that I took lots of early nights and kept busy/saw friends etc.

Sorry not much help but this is fairly common and you're not alone.

Original poster

Stripedmum · 02/09/2013 08:40

Thank you so, so much Vix. I feel totally mental already - had pretty much a nervous breakdown about a month ago. I had severe postnatal anxiety with DS that, like you say, was very gradually settling at every period until at 17 months postpartum I fell pregnant again (hmmm helpful!!). Unplanned.

Anyhow my problems now definitely intensify at each growth spurt with dd and I'm predicting every time I drop a feed. I've given up going to the doctors as they refuse to believe there's any hormonal link and just think I'm nutty. I just don't feel right and I'm praying that it's all linked in with my hormones and one day I'll feel myself again. You've given me a bit of reassurance and hope so thank you very much.

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Original poster

Stripedmum · 02/09/2013 08:43

No period yet and like you don't want to go down tablet route. However if I keep feeling this weird I might (finally) be tempted.

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Forgetfulmog · 02/09/2013 08:47

I'm confused as to why your GP thought the POP would help if low levels of estrogen are what contribute to PND

gretagrape · 02/09/2013 09:00

Hi - in the same boat at the moment. I had to move to Neocate due to multiple allergies and I am having a tough time trying to ride out the depression that has hit me like a wall over the last 4 weeks.

I don't want to go down the anti-depressant/Pill route, so I've just started going over a book I used years ago to combat PMS. It's called Natural Solutions to PMS by Marilyn Glenville and it was AMAZING - totally got rid of my PMS, but it does mean being on quite a strict diet to stabilise hormones and blood sugars.

I'm assuming that as PMS is a lot to do with hormonal changes/imbalances then if I go back to following her advice it will hopefully help.
Good luck.
x

Original poster

Stripedmum · 02/09/2013 09:00

My GP won't even admit that's that what contributes to PND!!!

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vix206 · 02/09/2013 09:08

My GP was rubbish. He asked me the usual depression questions and just sat coldly ticking boxes before saying 'classic pnd. Lets try contraceptive pill first and if that doesn't work lets try ad's'

He also did not acknowledge my firm confidence that this was all linked to dropping feeds. Just ignored it. I'm afraid I've not got any confidence left in the doctors or health visitors with any breastfeeding issues.

OP when you're going through it I k or its like being stuck in a deep, dark hole that you can't climb out of. Just do your best to remember that it's all hormones and it will get better. I second the advice to try out some PMS remedies as I'm sure it's all very similar.

I also took Starflower oil and tried Agnus Castus but that was when DS was older and down to just 2/3 feeds a day as Agnus Castus can cause them an upset tummy.

Will see if I can think of any other things that helped...

Original poster

Stripedmum · 02/09/2013 09:10

In fact I'm made to feel like a conspiracy theorist every time I mention hormones.

OP posts:

gretagrape · 02/09/2013 09:12

I know what you mean - as if they aren't in any way related to your entire wellbeing and functioning as a human being!

I think even if I went in to my GP with a broken arm I'd still be offered either anti-depressants or the Pill! I don't bother with them if I can help it.

Original poster

Stripedmum · 02/09/2013 09:17

Thank you everyone. Yes the PMS theory is one I'd definitely subscribe to. GPs seem entirely clueless about hormones and their effect on mental health IME and I hate feeling like I'm 'trying to be a doctor' by self diagnosing. Yes I have mental health issues but they are totally affected by breastfeeding - gaining feeds, dropping feeds. And let's face it - it's rare a baby would take the exact same amount day to day. It's always in a state of flux meaning in always in a state of flux.

I hope I'm not going to end up really mentally poorly. That's my main concern.

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Original poster

Stripedmum · 02/09/2013 09:18

I'm always in

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WallaceWindsock · 02/09/2013 09:19

Oh wow thank you for this! I've been dropping feeds and had thought my depression was coming back. Didn't even occur to me that the two could be related! That makes a lot of sense and will make it easier to ride out. Sorry I don't have any advice, am dropping feeds for similar reasons. Just keep reminding myself that in ten years time he isn't going to ask why I didn't bf him longer, I've done as much as I could but now it's the best decision for both of us to start reducing feeds.

vix206 · 02/09/2013 09:34

Stripedmum, obviously only you know your state of mind but there were days that I honestly thought I was going insane. And wasn't going to ever recover. It was bad enough to make me vow never to do this again.

I actually came back a lot stronger. Im now pregnant with dc2, fearful deep down about going through it again but also feeling that I've done it before so I can do it again if I have to.

Stay strong and pm me if you ever need someone to talk to/confide in.

Original poster

Stripedmum · 02/09/2013 09:39

Thank you so much Vix - you've pretty much summed up how I feel. It's hard to trust that anyone could possibly feel as mental as you do which I suppose is the nature of the beast! I am feeding at mo (big surprise) but once I'm all sorted I may PM you - thank you again!

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Original poster

Stripedmum · 02/09/2013 09:44

Also congrats on DC2!!! I've found it much easier despite this shit in that the whole segment of fears surrounding the baby has gone as you've done it before - and I've really been able to enjoy her. X

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vix206 · 02/09/2013 10:35

That's really good to hear!

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