What happens to your body when you stop breastfeeding?

The Transition from Breastfeeding: What Happens to Your Body
Stopping breastfeeding is a significant transition for both mother and child, and it brings about a series of physiological and emotional changes. Understanding these changes can help mothers navigate this period more smoothly.
Hormonal Shifts
One of the most immediate effects of weaning is a dramatic shift in hormone levels. During breastfeeding, the body produces higher levels of hormones such as prolactin and oxytocin, which are crucial for milk production and maternal bonding. When breastfeeding ceases, these hormone levels drop significantly. This reduction can lead to various emotional responses, including mood swings and feelings of sadness or anxiety, often described as a hormonal “comedown”. Mothers may find themselves feeling less calm and more irritable as their bodies adjust to the new hormonal landscape.
Physical Changes
Physically, the body undergoes a process known as involution. This is where the milk-secreting cells in the breasts begin to die off and are replaced by fat cells. This transition can lead to changes in breast size and shape, which some women may find distressing. Typically, most mothers notice a significant decrease in milk production within 7 to 10 days after stopping breastfeeding, although some may still express small amounts of milk for weeks or even months.
Emotional and Psychological Effects
The emotional impact of stopping breastfeeding can be profound. Many mothers experience a sense of loss or sadness as they transition away from this intimate bonding experience with their child. The drop in oxytocin, often referred to as the “love hormone,” can contribute to feelings of loneliness or disconnection. It’s essential for mothers to acknowledge these feelings and seek support if needed, whether from friends, family, or professional resources.
Long-Term Considerations
In the long term, the cessation of breastfeeding can also affect a mother’s physical health. Some studies suggest that breastfeeding has protective effects against certain health issues, including breast cancer and osteoporosis. However, the overall health benefits of breastfeeding can still be realized even after weaning, as long as mothers maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Conclusion
The decision to stop breastfeeding is deeply personal and can be influenced by various factors, including the mother’s health, the baby’s needs, and lifestyle considerations. Understanding the changes that occur in the body during this transition can empower mothers to navigate the emotional and physical challenges that may arise. As with any significant life change, support and self-care are crucial during this period of adjustment.

What are the side effects of drying up breast milk?

Fever (temperature of 100.4°F or higher) • Chills • Aches • Weakness • Breast pain, redness or warmth while weaning.

What are the negative effects of breastfeeding too long?

For example, duration of breastfeeding experience has been shown to correlate negatively with parent-reported antisocial and aggressive behavior in children from 4 to 11 years of age [43]. These effects on antisocial behavior appear to extend well beyond childhood into adulthood.

Why do you gain weight when you stop breastfeeding?

But, once you stop breastfeeding, your caloric needs quickly shift back to your baseline since you’re no longer burning those extra 500 or so calories per day, Lisa Moskovitz, C.D.N., R.D., CEO of NY Nutrition Group, tells SELF.

Is breastfeeding hard on your body?

I’m talking wrist pain, back pain, rib pain, numbness, neck pain, tingling, tight muscles, feeling weak, breathing changes… All these changes to the musculoskeletal system and associated senorimotor cortext of the brain can start during a woman’s breastfeeding career.

What are the side effects of stopping breastfeeding?

Some might experience headaches or migraines, while others feel exhausted or even dizzy immediately after weaning. Another common post-weaning issue? Acne. Big hormone changes can really throw your body for a loop.

How long after stopping breastfeeding does your body go back to normal?

Usually, you will feel back to normal after a few weeks but if you feel like your mood is very low it is important to contact your GP or maternal child health nurse. You will find more information here. For nearly all women their period will not return until they stop exclusive breastfeeding.

Do you lose weight after you 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.

How long does it take for hormones to balance 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.

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.