2 Year Old Self Weaned :) :(-- Hormone And/or Body Changes for Me?

When my daughter weaned, I went through ALOT of hormonal changes...hot flashes galore, sweating through everything, erratic periods, and emotional rollercoasters. Just being honest :) This lasted about a month and then I felt regulated. I'm not sure if you're on the progesterone only pill, but if you are now is the time to talk to your doc about changing it. It was the cause of my erratic periods because the lack of breastfeeding was throwing off my hormonal balances. I did ask a question about it at the time so you are free to click my profile and read the thread.

Also, about the closeness, this is when I developed our current night-time routine w/my daughter. When it came to the time in our routine that I would nurse her, I sing her a song and rock her gently instead. We both still get that closeness and comfort before she falls asleep. She is 3 1/2 and this is still part of our nighly ritual that we both love.

Good luck, it would appear from your posts that you are a very dedicated mama...look at this as the next step in your ever-changing relationship with your sweet little man. :)

My complexion went crazy after my son weaned. I encountered dry patches and some break-outs. You would not believe the amount of moisturizer my skin would soak up and be painfully dry 30 minutes later. I think this lasted about 6 weeks or so but then I went back to normal afer my hormones settled down. You will still be close with your son. My son and I still cuddle a lot every day and he will be 3 in January. Some of your sadness is hormonal. Weaning is a big change to your body.

I feel for you! :) I breastfed my son til he was 2 yrs & 4 mos old & I was weaning him off 1st at daytime & gradually at nightime.. the nighttimes he wanted my boobs & I didn't let him, he & I both cried! But he got used to it & sleeps through the night. He is nearly 4 now & our routine is storytime every night (w/ daddy there also) , hugs & kisses for daddy & then w/ me, I play his lullaby CD (personalised w/ his name) & carress his hair until he goes to sleep (usually 10 mins later). That is our moment together.

As for body changes, I lost 5 1lbs w/in 2 wks, & gradually was back to my original weight, my boobs went back to their normal size (I was lucky they didn't hurt me) & yes mood swings lol! For that I take vitamin B-Complex.

All the best..

I nursed my daughter until she was nearly 2. She had self-weaned to once at night, and I had to finish it off because I got pregnant and it felt gross. We just substituted a family bedtime routine that she loves (reading books and singing songs) and she didn't mind it at all. She didn't really ask to nurse again, except about 4 months later on an airplane. We are close now and she's almost 4.
I just weaned my son at 16 months because my back pain was so bad I couldn't stand up straight in the mornings. My boobs got so big and I just couldn't stand it anymore. He had self-weaned down to twice a day, so it was no biggie either. He didn't care about the night bottle AT ALL, his favorite nurse time was 6 am. So I cuddle with him while he drinks his bottle. He is just as cuddly and loving as ever. Honestly, I was kind of sad at how easy it was. It's been a week now and I haven't noticed any hormonal issues whatsoever. I just can't wait for these damn things to shrink so I can fit into my Iron Lung bra and start running again. Good luck with it!

Jilly,
I breastfeed all 3 of my children. They are 21, 22, and 23 years old. I was also sad when they weaned themself. You will always be close to this child. Just try to do other things to keep the closeness. As for the body, weaning is a continous process. So, I think the body adjusts just fine. Just my opinion.

I was ready for my little one to wean off bf. I did miss the closeness -- guess that's why were having another one =). But there are lots of ways to attain that closeness with ur child -- snuggling with a book or a movie, playing.... I think my body was ready, i didnt have much milk in me! She was 2 and 1/2 when i weaned her off, and it was only at bedtime that she wanted to bf. Good luck.

Just because he is no longer breastfeeding doesn't mean you have to lose the closeness. I rocked my girls for years. At nap time and bedtime. At bedtime they would get their bath and then we would rock and read a book or sing little songs. Calming songs. I also held them on my lap to read several times a day. And don't forget to stop and give hugs and kisses often. As far as your body goes it will adjust. The doctor told me to sleep in my bra. Slow down on the liquid intake for a bit and avoid hot steamy showers. As heat will make your milk produce. A person having problems getting milk in is told to take hot showers. Also don't let your husband play with them for awhile or it will increase the milk. You will be fine. I had no problems at all after either of my girls when they weaned theirselves from the breast. But I followed my doctors advice and stuck to it until all my milk was gone. Your breasts may never go back to normal size. Mine didn't. They got larger with the first one and then even bigger with the second one. Hang in there everything will be okay.