Postpartum depression is commonly known, but have you ever heard of post-weaning depression? It is a rare but serious complication that can affect a mother after she stops breastfeeding. Plus, it is an understudied condition that often goes undiagnosed and needs attention. Some people experience sadness and depression for a few weeks after weaning starts, which is when the baby starts eating solid foods after it stops drinking breast milk. Scroll down to understand more about the condition and why it needs to be highlighted for the sake of new mothers.

What is post-weaning depression?

Post-weaning depression refers to the transitional shift from breastfeeding to weaning. It describes the mental state of a lactating mother when she stops breastfeeding. Weaning is a process where the baby starts eating solid foods after drinking breast milk for more than 6 months. Post-weaning depression can be an emotional rollercoaster which can take a toll on a mother's mental health.

Post-weaning depression is real and affects a lot of women. Image courtesy: Freepik

A lot of mothers might feel worried and upset about introducing solid foods. They may feel sad because it means they have to stop breastfeeding after a long time, and they might be anxious about whether their baby will enjoy eating solids. Breastfeeding brings immense joy to mothers as it creates stronger bonds with their children. Weaning can feel like a threat to this comforting bond, especially in the beginning. Post-weaning depression may lead mothers to feel a range of emotions such as guilt, sadness, anger, frustration, irritation, anxiety, and stress. It is essential to address the underlying symptoms for prompt diagnosis to get over this anxious phase.

Symptoms of post-weaning depression

Here are signs and symptoms of post-weaning depression that you need to look out for if you want to avoid the complications:

1. Feeling sad

After stopping breastfeeding mothers may tend to experience emotional turmoil, making it challenging to move on. Mothers may find themselves easily shedding tears while thinking about their breastfeeding journey. This can cause emotional exhaustion resulting in stress, anxiety, and depression.

2. Loss of interest

You start to lose interest in hobbies or activities that you once used to love doing. This can include activities like doodling, journaling, strolling, cooking, and hitting the gym.

3. Difficulty in sleeping

Breastfeeding involves stressful and sleepless nights. With increasing age, children tend to sleep well for longer duration without getting up at night. Some mothers may feel so tired and emotionally drained, which may lead to sleeplessness. You may wake frequently at midnight with the thoughts of your baby being awake.

4. Constant mood swings

Post-weaning depression can make your emotions unpredictable. At one moment you may feel perfectly fine but the very next moment you could find yourself bawling your eyes out. This can cause sudden outbursts of emotions like frustration, irritation, and anger. Your constant mood swings can be exhausting not just for you but also for the people around you.

You may experience mood swings because of post weaning depression. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock

What causes post-weaning depression?

Post-weaning is when mothers stop breastfeeding their newborns after 6 months or more and start their transition from a solid to a liquid diet. Breastfeeding becomes a crucial part of mother’s daily routine and abruptly stopping it can take a heavy toll on their mental health. Several factors can significantly contribute to post-weaning depression in breastfeeding mothers.

1. Detachment

Breastfeeding creates a stronger emotional bond between the mother and the child. Weaning can disrupt this nurturing connection, causing mothers to experience a loss of maternal touch.

2. Hormonal imbalances

Women’s bodies undergo tremendous physical changes followed by severe hormonal imbalances. The hormones like prolactin and oxytocin that are often linked to producing an adequate amount of milk and maternal bonding can be disrupted due to weaning. Over time, they start to decline causing dramatic mood swings followed by overthinking. This can further lead to mothers feeling insecure or disconnected from their infants emotionally as well as physically.

3. Inability to adapt

Some mothers may feel skeptical about the experience of introducing their infants to solids and how they will adapt to this new feeding method. The causes of post-weaning may vary for several mothers depending on their physiological physical changes.

How to overcome post-weaning depression?

Overcoming post-weaning depression takes collective efforts. You will have to make some major changes to your lifestyle, which may include:

1. Eating healthy: Eat plenty of healthy foods that contain all essential nutrients for you to stay mentally and physically fit.

2. Exercise: One of the best ways to manage stress and a sudden change in your life is exercise. Doing it regularly will help you keep everything in check.

3. Seek professional help: Do not feel hesitant to consult a doctor for professional guidance.

4. Join a support group: You can try joining a support group where you can socially connect with other mothers who suffering through similar situations.

5. Talk to your loved ones: Be vocal about your feelings and actively share them with your loved ones, family members, or spouse.

Taking care of your mental and physical well-being will help you deal with post-weaning depression and its complications. However, avoid self-diagnosing and consult a doctor if you experience any symptoms.

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