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Infant feeding

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Original poster

Post-weaning depression?!

4 replies

SecretSloth99 · 04/08/2025 19:27

Cross posted in Mental Health!

I haven’t weaned my baby from breastfeeding but I did go away for a couple of days, and although I pumped, it wasn’t as much as I should have done and the pump isn’t as good as the baby for extracting milk!

since I have got home, I’ve felt panicked, anxious, feel like I’ve lost that connection with my baby almost entirely, and that I just don’t adore her like I did before I went away.

I had a very nasty mental health plummet when I stopped taking the pill a few years ago, and I was absolutely sure at the time that it was hormone related and now I feel exactly the same (although that time I didn’t have a baby) and now I’m convinced that was it.
has anyone else experienced anything similar and can let me know how long it took for them to level out? I’m breastfeeding again now and hoping it will pass quickly but I’m now absolutely terrified of what will happen when I do wean fully.

OP posts:
MoreThanRubies · 05/08/2025 19:41

I weaned very gradually at 20 months and suffered a mild depression for a week or so - it did level out after. I was sad, weepy (at anything. Adverts!) and very gloomy. This was despite knowing that I was happy to have weaned DD. So yes, it’s a thing, but might not last very long. Good to be alert to the possibility though.

Gollldddstar · 05/08/2025 19:49

I can sympathise. When my baby started feeding slightly less frequently around 9m I experienced what I thought was a ‘weaning depression’. It was just like postpartum. My hair fell out again. My skin was dreadful. My mood was all over the shop and I was tearful. Lasted a few weeks and then petered off. Definitely think it was a shift in hormones. I’m still feeding (13m now) and dreading feeling similar when he decides to wean fully.

Original poster
SecretSloth99 · 06/08/2025 14:17

Gollldddstar · 05/08/2025 19:49

I can sympathise. When my baby started feeding slightly less frequently around 9m I experienced what I thought was a ‘weaning depression’. It was just like postpartum. My hair fell out again. My skin was dreadful. My mood was all over the shop and I was tearful. Lasted a few weeks and then petered off. Definitely think it was a shift in hormones. I’m still feeding (13m now) and dreading feeling similar when he decides to wean fully.

I’m so glad it’s not just me. I thought I was okay today but it’s suddenly hit me again. It’s more like intense anxiety verging on panic, making me irritable and also making me feel very tired!

im also super nervous about what will happen with full weaning - I think I need to get a plan in place and do it as slowly as possible!

OP posts:
Original poster
SecretSloth99 · 06/08/2025 14:18

MoreThanRubies · 05/08/2025 19:41

I weaned very gradually at 20 months and suffered a mild depression for a week or so - it did level out after. I was sad, weepy (at anything. Adverts!) and very gloomy. This was despite knowing that I was happy to have weaned DD. So yes, it’s a thing, but might not last very long. Good to be alert to the possibility though.

Thankyou! I’m so glad to hear it didn’t last long for you. I’m hoping I’m the same!’

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