What does your body do when you stop breastfeeding?

The Transition from Breastfeeding: What Happens to Your Body
Stopping breastfeeding is a significant transition for both mother and child, marked by a series of physiological and emotional changes. As mothers navigate this personal decision, understanding the body’s response can help ease the process.
Hormonal Shifts
One of the most immediate changes occurs in hormone levels. During breastfeeding, the body produces high levels of prolactin and oxytocin. Prolactin is crucial for milk production, while oxytocin promotes bonding and emotional well-being. When breastfeeding ceases, the production of these hormones declines sharply. This reduction can lead to feelings of sadness or anxiety, akin to a hormonal “comedown,” as mothers may experience a loss of the calming effects these hormones provide.
Physical Changes
Physically, the body undergoes a process known as involution. This is where the milk-secreting cells in the breasts gradually die off and are replaced by fat cells. This transition can lead to changes in breast size and shape, often resulting in a softer appearance. Additionally, many mothers report changes in their body weight. Since breastfeeding burns a significant number of calories, stopping can lead to weight gain for some, as their caloric expenditure decreases.
Emotional Impact
The emotional landscape can also shift dramatically. Breastfeeding often fosters a deep bond between mother and child, and the cessation of this practice can evoke feelings of loss or guilt. Mothers may find themselves grappling with mixed emotions, from relief to sadness, as they adjust to this new phase of motherhood.
Health Considerations
From a health perspective, breastfeeding has been linked to various long-term benefits for mothers, including a reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. As mothers stop breastfeeding, they may need to be more mindful of their health and nutrition to maintain these benefits.
Conclusion
The decision to stop breastfeeding is deeply personal and can be influenced by numerous factors, including the baby’s readiness and the mother’s circumstances. Understanding the body’s response—hormonal shifts, physical changes, and emotional impacts—can help mothers navigate this transition with greater awareness and support. As they move forward, embracing the changes while maintaining a focus on health and well-being can lead to a fulfilling new chapter in their parenting journey.

What hormones shift when you stop breastfeeding?

“As women wean, the oxytocin stores start to go back to non-pregnant levels,” O’Neill says. “Oxytocin is known as the love hormone, so as it decreases you may feel sad, irritable or grumpy. Many women attribute this to fatigue, but the feeling is real and regulated by our hormones.”

How long does it take for your body to regulate after stopping breastfeeding?

Often your hormones settle within a few weeks and you and your child adjust to a new rhythm where breastfeeding is no longer part of your current story. These feelings of sadness and general lowness that can happen after weaning are normally temporary. Being gentle and patient with yourself is important.

What happens if you suddenly stop breastfeeding?

Once you have stopped breastfeeding or expressing milk and the feelings of fullness have gone, your breasts will continue to produce small amounts of milk for some time. Some mothers find their breasts start to feel full and uncomfortable a few days or more after they’ve stopped feeding, or expressing.

Will I lose weight if I stop breastfeeding?

It is it a myth that breastfeeding burns up lots of calories making milk. You will burn some stored body fat, but your body protects some fat for the purpose of breastfeeding. Many women don’t lose all the baby weight until they completely stop nursing.

What happens to your breasts when you stop breastfeeding?

When you stop breastfeeding (whether feeding directly from the breast or pumping), it can take time for your breasts to get the message and stop producing milk. Production typically wraps up about six weeks after stopping. In the meantime, your breasts may become painfully engorged.

What are the physical changes after stopping breastfeeding?

Once you stop breastfeeding you may find that your breasts look and feel very empty. The size of the breasts will likely return to your pre-pregnancy size but may look quite different. The fatty part of your breast will come back over time to make the breasts look fuller and plumper again.

Will I lose weight after I stop breastfeeding?

It’s normal to store extra fat during pregnancy to be used up while breastfeeding. Mothers vary in when they lose this extra weight. For some it is in the early weeks, some later and for others it’s not until after they have stopped breastfeeding.

What happens to a woman’s body when they stop breastfeeding?

“As women wean, the oxytocin stores start to go back to non-pregnant levels,” O’Neill says. “Oxytocin is known as the love hormone, so as it decreases you may feel sad, irritable or grumpy. Many women attribute this to fatigue, but the feeling is real and regulated by our hormones.”

What are the side effects of not breastfeeding to the mother?

Not breastfeeding or weaning prematurely is associated with health risks for mothers as well as for infants. Epidemiologic data suggest that women who do not breastfeed face higher risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer, as well as obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease.

What happens to your hormones if you don’t breastfeed?

If you are breastfeeding, as you wean from it, your prolactin and oxytocin levels will drop—potentially leaving you feeling sad, anxious or irritable. These are usually short-lived, but a slow approach to weaning may help reduce adverse effects.