Is it normal to feel baby blues or just down after breastfeeding ends?? Is there a hormone thing involved?? I am not feeling sad/down because we are done... It truly feels like something I can't control deep inside.
Background:
I have been pregnant or breastfeeding since August of 07. We now have two beautiful little girls 16 months apart. I am a SAHM.
When my oldest was 8 months, or so, I got prego again and so we stopped breastfeeding. Well she stopped....
Now my youngest is 8 months and now she too is deciding she no longer wants to breastfeed. I am fine with that since I don't have the time to really just sit and relax doing it these days.
However the past few weeks, I have put on some weight, I have been SO emotional, I feel like crying one minute, then fine the next. I even have days when I almost hate being a mom and being around the kids. It is short lived and I don't feel like harming them in any way, but feel like going back to work or running away :)
I just assume it is because my body after all these years is finally without any baby hormones at all and I am just having a hard time getting back to normal. But can that really happen???
I plan on calling my OB on Monday, but I thought I would ask you ladies.... perhaps this is something you went through as well??
On a side note I am NOT pregnant again! My husband had a vasectomy when our youngest was 2 months old and he has had two clear specimins since then. Just to be certain I also took a pregnacy test today and it was negative! So I am not prego :)
Plus I was never this emotional while prego!!!
Any insight you can give would be great. I am sure I just need to give it some time and talk to my OB and all will even back out.
Thanks!
I agree with Marci's post. I had a very hard time weaning baby #1. Mood swings, etc. I think it is a hormonal thing. It evens out. I'd try getting away with a friend, either with kids or without, and see if that doesn't cheer you up a bit. GL!
Hey Girl,
I feel your hormonal pain. I stopped breastfeed cold turkey and had crazy, extreme post partum depression for about a week. I know for certain that it was the abrupt drop in my hormones.
When you nurse, your hormones emit a "feel-good" type of hormone, so when you stop, you don't have that hormone any more. In time, your hormones balance out.
If you are gaining weight and feeling sad, try and get some sunshine and friends over to cheer you up. The weight gain and sadness could be from hormones, also from eating the same amount of calories as when breastfeeding. You need to cut your calories a little bit - nothing drastic. Eat more protien than normal. Protein elevates your mood and gives you energy. Exercise, get enough sleep, and be patient and your hormones will go back to normal soon. Take care!
Hi J.,
Yes this is hormonal. Make sure you keep up with a good absorbable vitamin/mineral routine and get some regular exercise. Exercise seems to balance hormones better than anything else I know.
God bless!
M.
J., for what it's worth, I saw that someone mentioned Vitex. My OB just told me to take it for PMS symptoms. Good luck! You'll even out.
I have three kids and with my second I had a real bad case of post pardum depression (very different than baby blues). Baby blues tend to happen for a day or two after you have the baby, you are just a bit sad and such here and there from having a baby. Post Pardum depression is where you become extremely sad and withdrawn a while after you have had the baby (for me it was 3 months after he was born). It can be mild or very serious, I was in the middle and it sounds a lot like how you are feeling. I wanted to get away from the kids, I wanted to cry, etc. My doc prescribed me some antidepressants which ultimately I decided not to use. To this day I am not sure why, I just didn't feel comfortable with it. My depression lasted for several months and eventually went away. My guess is, if I had taken the drugs it would have gone faster. See what your doc says, antidepressants may be the right choice for you.
i think it is a very normal thing. I had my boys back to back and went from nursing one to almost right after he stopped nursing another so i know what you went through. it's just the change in the hormones like the other ladies said. When I finally stopped nursing I was really sad and blue for a a few weeks and like you it wasn't really because I had stopped nursing. you have put on a little weight because of the baby is not taking any of your calories anymore. I also think you should try to get a day away. I say without the kids...even if its just an afternoon. With a friend or even by yourself. Do something that makes you happy and enjoy. Every one needs a break and when you have two back to back that need so much of your attetion and you never get a break because you are a stay at home mom like me, you NEED a day off every once in a while...try it and if things don't get better than I would be concerned but right now i really wouldnt worry just need some R.O.R. good luck I hope you feel better soon.
I used to feel it when my milk let down. It wouldn't last that long. It was really strange and it took till my 3rd child to identify it. It is a complete despair feeling but then goes away. Being aware of when it starts helps you to come out of it. I never knew anyone else to feel this or maybe no one really talks about it. I did get some mild anti depressants that seem to help me have a floor instead of sinking emotionally down to the pits of despair. You also are going to feel like a last for everything since you are no longer having children. The last time you will do this or that. It can take a toll on you and the kids and they will feel it. I had to go back to work full time and hate it. I thought I wanted to go but now I don't get to raise my children anymore. We don't get to do fun things like we did. I'm at work. Do find something that can be just yours so you can get a break but this time goes by so fast.
Let us know how your doing and take care!
Yup, I had the same thing when I weaned my son (at 8 months). Definitely the hormones. It made me feel totally depressed and crazy and lasted during the weaning (which took a few weeks) till a couple of weeks after. I would sit on my bed and cry, then feel fine, then the next night I'd find myself crying again. A few weeks later, everything was fine, and it's been fine since.
Sounds like PMS- without the bitchy. I think its completely normal- especially if your body is just now getting back to "normal". All those hormones and emotions are in a teeter-totter state right now and it might take a few months to feel ok again.
Just like when you first got pregnant and your emotions were all over the place, this too takes time. :)
Give yourself a little breathing room and know its OK to feel out of control of your emotions for awhile. :)
I think it is normal to feel this way after weaning. I can relate to your post as I was pregnant or breastfeeding for almost 8 years. (3 kids, nursed till they were 2) Your body will begin to balance, but it may take several months till you feel normal.
I felt the same way. Hormones raging and no more"love-hormone". It takes a while for everything to calm down. I agree with Mimi, get a good supplement and exercise. I found one that helped me SO MUCH when I was nursing and weaning, email me and I will tell you about it. Also, Yoga helps me tremendously.
C.
