Weaning (or stopping breastfeeding) is a personal journey that looks and feels different for everyone.
It can cause hormonal and emotional disturbances that can impact the mental health of breastfeeding mothers and parents. These changes can be intense for some, while others may not notice them at all.
If you experience severe ongoing sadness when you stop breastfeeding, it could be post-weaning depression.
Knowing how weaning can impact your mood and wellbeing can help you monitor your symptoms and know when to seek support.
We explore the signs of post-weaning depression and some steps you can take to protect your mental health during this transition.
“When I stopped feeding my son, I felt super emotional and had lots of mood swings. My partner kept asking what was wrong, but I wasn't sure why I was feeling like that.”
What is post-weaning depression?
Post-weaning depression refers to the psychological distress a mother or parent can experience when they stop breastfeeding.
It’s caused by the hormonal fluctuations and emotional changes that can happen during this time.
The risk of depressive symptoms can increase when a mother or parent weans abruptly or before they’re ready, but post-weaning depression is also common when weaning is slow and gradual.
Hormonal fluctuations
Weaning causes a drop in the hormones prolactin (the milk-production hormone that promotes feelings of calm) and oxytocin (the “love hormone” that promotes feelings of connection).
These hormone fluctuations can have a significant impact on the mood and mental health of breastfeeding mothers and parents.
Emotional changes
As well as hormonal disruptions, it’s common to experience complex emotions around weaning and the changes this may bring to your bond with your baby and the wider family dynamic.
Common feelings of sadness, grief, guilt, loss, and not feeling as needed by your child anymore can contribute to post-weaning depression.
“I wasn't sure how my dynamic with my son would change... it felt like feeding was the only way I knew how to soothe him, so losing that had me questioning how I was even going to be a parent.”
Signs and symptoms of post-weaning depression
While everyone’s experience is different, and the presentation and severity can change from person to person, some symptoms of depression after weaning might include:
- Severe, ongoing sadness
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Intense anxiety and worrying
- Extreme exhaustion or fatigue
- Losing interest in baby and family
- Changes to sleeping and/or eating
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Thoughts of self-harm and/or suicide
- Losing interest in things you once enjoyed.
Looking after yourself
If you’re weaning or planning to wean soon, it can help to understand that this may be an overwhelming time and prepare a mental health ‘toolkit’ of protective factors.
These strategies and strengths can help support your wellbeing as you navigate this transition:
- Strong social connections – Emotional support and community can help increase our capacity to cope in hard times. Lean on your trusted friends and family, and consider reaching out to a parent group to connect with people who share your experiences.
- Good physical health – Looking after your physical health can have positive benefits for your mental health too. Focus on healthy behaviours such as getting enough sleep, eating nutritious foods, and moving your body every day.
- Active coping skills – It can help to have proven coping strategies in place when you anticipate changes and challenges in life. This might include journalling, meditation, visualisation, affirmations, breathing exercises, or professional mental health support.
- Alternative bonding rituals – If you’re grieving the bond breastfeeding created, or you’re worried weaning will impact your relationship, it might help to find other ways to connect with your child. For example, you could replace feeding time/s with a song and cuddle or other special routine to promote closeness.
Support for depression after weaning
While post-weaning depression is common, it’s not something you must endure in silence.
Reaching out for support can help you feel less alone and manage symptoms so you can be the best you, for yourself and your family. It’s important to contact your GP or health professional if you’re concerned about your symptoms.
If you’re struggling to cope and need someone to talk to confidentially, you can call PANDA’s National Helpline on 1300 726 306 (Monday to Friday, 9am - 7.30pm and Saturday, 9am – 4pm (AEST/AEDT)).
Some other support service options include:
- 24/7 crisis support: 13 11 14
- 24/7 crisis chat
- 24/7 crisis text
- 24/7 helpline: 1300 22 4636
- email (email response provided within 24 hours)
Self-care that feels right for you
Looking after yourself includes taking care of your mental, emotional, physical, social and practical needs.
If you’d like some help finding self-care strategies that work for you, you can find some ideas in our article.
Helpful Information
What happens when I call the PANDA Helpline?
PANDA National Helpline
Find someone to talk to, Monday to Saturday.
1300 726 306
Call 000 for police and ambulance if you or someone else are in immediate danger
Talk with friends or family
Consider talking about how you are feeling with someone you trust. This might be a friend or family member. Once you starting talking you might be surprised at how many others have had similar experiences and the support they can provide you.
Talk with your doctor
Talking with your doctor can be an important step to getting the help you need. They should be able to give you non-judgemental support, assessment, diagnosis, and ongoing care and treatment. They can also refer you to specialists such as a counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist.
Get help now
If you are having suicidal thoughts or are feeling disorientated it’s important to get help immediately. PANDA is not a crisis service, if you need immediate support call Lifeline 13 11 14 (24/7).
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Mental health checklist
How are you going?
Everyone’s experience of pregnancy, birth and parenting is unique and brings different rewards and challenges.
Complete our online mental health checklist to see if what you’re experiencing or observing in a loved one could be a reason to seek help.
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