Breastfeeding, weaning and terrible hormones.

[121gigawatts]

So I posted on here a few days back about how my baby has started to drop feeds now we are weaning. At first I was concerned about my supply but all seems fine. However I have noticed that since the drop in feeds I have become terribly hormonal. This sounds awful but in the middle of the night even my baby was annoying me. She was scratching, hitting, biting nipple, pulling hair, all those things they do as they get older but I felt so touched out and annoyed by her. Usually I just sit with her and nurse and she uses me as a dummy until she falls back asleep and I transfer her back into her cot but last night I just put her back in her cot which is next to my bed and put her sleep aid on after she had fed enough and turned away from her in bed. She did just go to sleep on her own but then felt I incredibly guilty for feeling that way.
Before I had even gone to bed last night I broke down and cried, I do have alot going on at the moment (recent bereavement and sick parent) but I sobbed and sobbed out of the blue on my own and I know it wasn't all down to current life events but more just because I feel I seem to have gone crazy. Today, my DH asked if he had done something wrong or upset me, I didn't even realise but I have been constantly snapping at him. I just generally feel on edge. I also have a toddler, so do have my hands full a bit. I just want to know is there anything I can do to help myself? Has anybody else experienced this when weaning or stopping breastfeeding? I am scared this is going to get worse.

Hi @121gigawatts this is what has annoyed me most about breastfeeding information - this is kept completely hidden when encouraging women to breastfeed. The same happened me at 7 months when I was stopping breastfeeding and I thought I was losing my mind. I had massive mood swings, lots of anger, getting irritated at baby etc etc. when I asked friends all bar one confirmed they had the same and also weren’t aware it can happen.

There is nothing wrong with you. It’s your hormones. Tell your DH he will have to bear with you. It took me 2 months to feel normal again. I also had dizziness and ramped up anxiety. You also might need to call on your DH if you feel yourself getting irritated with baby and get him to take over.

Thanks so much for your reply @IbbleDibbleDibble can I ask some advice on how you stopped breastfeeding? My DD is 8 months now and I did hope to go to a year but it is getting increasingly difficult for me and im not sure how much more I can take. She will be going to childcare in two months and I can't express well either. Did you gradually stop? How long did it take? Thanks.

Thank you so much for this post, I’ve been feeling exactly the same recently (I also have an 8 month old and a toddler) and it’s been making me feel so rubbish that sometimes I’m so grumpy with everyone, including the DC. Glad to read I’m not alone and it’s the hormones xx

Has your period returned yet? Both times my period has returned shortly after weaning has started.

Sorry you're feeling this way too @WalkiesAndBiscuits it's horrible. No mine still has not returned more than 8 months PP. The way I'm feeling I think I want to get my first period over with and hormones a bit more regulated before I return to work in two months.

@121gigawatts if you are still around please can I have an update on how you weaned and how it went mood wise? I’m 8.5 months pp and also think I want my hormones to be a bit more regulated before work… but I don’t want to abruptly stop. Having terrible moods tho so very unsure what to do.

I am still around @starstar84 but unfortunately I don't think you're going to want to read my reply.... My baby did not stop nursing until she was 3 years old! My hormones did improve though but my periods didn't return until she was 14 months (returned on a trip to cbeebies land of course 🙃) there's a lot of supplements you can't even take whilst breastfeeding so it's difficult but one thing that I felt did help was a monthly session of reflexology and spearmint tea. Hope you manage to get some balance before your return to work 🙂

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You will naturally feed a lot less by 10/11 months when baby is on 3 meals a day. I was back at work full time and was pumping and paedetrician said it was fine to stop pumping in the day at 10 months, because BF morning, late afternoon and evening was more than enough. At 12 months they don't need milk anymore and that's not something that happens overnight, it's gradual, you work towards it the months before.

Your baby is 8.5 months, so you are very close to that point. And going on to formula now will be a headache, it's not worth it.

Once baby is 12 months and at nursery full time, you can choose whether to wean completely or not. I actually chose to continue as BF only a couple of times a day is not just piss easy, but incredibly helpful.