Stopping bfeeding and depression?

[reddaisy]

I stopped bfeeding my 16month dd two weeks ago. And the last few days I feel so low and sad. Has anyone else experienced this after stopping bfeeding? I spent most of yesterday crying for no real reason and I wondered if it is because I am having a hormonal change after stopping.

Any advice would be appreciated!

I stopped bf all my 3 at approx 6 months. I felt utterly and completely awful, low and depressed for a couple of weeks - very weepy and down on myself. After that I felt FANTASTIC - reinvigorated, happy and bouncy. It must be an hormonal thing. Hopefully you will find you feel better very soon..... With 2nd and 3rd DCs I was expecting it and DH was able to jolly me a long until I felt better.

I personally believe there is a link, for me anyway. When i had ds i stopped bf at 3 months and at 5 months i had crippling pnd. With dd i stopped bf at 11 months (11 happy months) thought i'd escaped the pnd and 2 months after stopping bf pnd's familiar symptoms started almost overnight.

I'm now on anti depressants but feeling miles better already 6 weeks later. I believe pregnancy/breastfeeding hormones stopping has a major effect on me.

It could be all the hormones.

May I ask why you stopped? i.e. did you want to stop (there is a reasonable chance you can start again if you really want to)

Yes, me too. Among the saddest times of my life, well more so the second time because I knew I would never bf again. Also I stopped before I really wanted to and am still a bit angry about that. It is very hard to accept that that (hopefully happy) time is over. The drop in hormones must affect you also.

Thanks for the replies, it is nice to know I'm not alone in feeling like this.

MathsMadMummy, I stopped because I wanted to because it was exhausting me and I wanted to take ownership of my body back. I did feel sad about stopping for the first couple of days because that period of my relationship with my dd was over but I know it was the right choice so it isn't that I am feeling guilty.

I didn't know to expect to feel like this two weeks after stopping. Everything just feels overwhelming and the smallest task at the moment can make me teary. I am still exhausted too and I think I was expecting to feel full of energy now I wasn't getting physically drained through bfeeding.

Any tips on how to get through this period? Or do I just have to wait it out?

Yup. Everytime you breastfeed there's a release of oxytocin (happy hormone). When you stop bring, your bobdy misses that 'hit' and you can feel depressed. I felt very low as well.

can you go and buy some really fancy and impractical bras and tops? to celebrate having your boobs back

Good idea. Although I find it difficult to spend money on myself when I am trying to lose weight, keep thinking that I will splash out when I reach my goal weight.

But maybe I should treat myself to an outfit for now.

I need to get a bottle of oxytocin then instead! Would any herbal remedies help does anyone know? Thanks again.

I had exactly the same feeling recently, though I'm still BFing. DH kept telling me off when I was saying (for several months) I don't deserve new clothes, saying he'd buy me some. Finally gave in and kitted out my wardrobe with some essentials - jeans and plain tops, trainers and a few things to jazz up outfits. The key thing is they fit!!! And it really has made a difference, I don't have that oh-crap-nothing-to-wear feeling so I'm getting out and about a bit more, which is helping with both PND and the weight loss.

That's true MMM. I do avoid going out sometimes as I feel I have nothing to wear. I am glad it has helped you. I am back into my old jeans but problem is I needed to lose weight before I got pregnant anyway