Much like deciding to breastfeed in the first place, deciding when tostopbreastfeeding is acompletelypersonal choice.
The weaning process may naturally begin when baby food is added to their diet.
That’s not cool!
After all, weaning affects you, too.
So, do you want to know what happens toyouwhen you wean your child?
Here are some things you may experience.
As they say, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Within two weeks of weaning, your seemingly great breasts could suddenly become engorged.
Huggins cautioned, “Any stimulation to them will keep this rebound engorgement occurring.”
Instead, take some ibuprofen, wear a supportive bra, and let your breastsbe.
While weaning, you may also notice solid lumps in your breasts.
Don’t worry, though.
Huggins said this is most likely a temporary loss of fat.
Leigh Ann O’Connor, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), explained the process toRomper.
First, the breasts fill with milk, per usual.
“The milk is then absorbed into the body,” O’Connor added.
Absorption is actually a pretty cool process.
When the cells are done their job, they absorb themselves.
Yes, your breasts essentially have magic milk-disappearing powers.
Unfortunately, that means you could experience some annoying and painful symptoms during that time.
According to the team atParents.com, the letdown is actually a reflex.
When the nerves in your breasts are stimulated, oxytocin is released.
This hormone makes the small muscles near those milk-producing cells contract milk is then pushed through the ducts.
Unfortunately, the letdown becomes a nuisance when you’re trying to wean.
However, this too shall pass when your body finally gets the hint that you’re done breastfeeding.
Your body is definitely going through a lot during the weaning process, but it’s notallbad.
After giving birth and beginning to breastfeed, your libido may have taken a nosedive.
She continued to explain that it is now thought that these women are essentially experiencing a postpartum mood episode.
However, even women whodowant to wean can experience a great deal of sadness once they begin.
And then, it just stops.
Not exactly great for the psyche.
Thankfully, that’s all about to change once you stop breastfeeding, that is.
The science behind this is nothing short of amazing.
Leaking a little pee is essentially a side-effect of this hormone (ugh!
Acne apparently has other ideas.
Stopping breastfeeding and therefore no longer getting that wonderful oxytocin fix doesn’t just cause sadness.
It is also responsible for stress.
Not to mention, you now have a new baby, which is stressful in and of itself.
Your shifting hormones can also be blamed for your skin woes.
More oil equals more breakouts.
Some of the calcium that was in your bones relocated to your milk supply.
If you’re longing to have another child, good news.
So, yes, you are a superhero of sorts.
Bone Density Woman or Calcium Gal, perhaps?
Oh where, oh where, has Aunt Flo gone?
When you’re weaning your child, your period can become quite the enigma.
While that’s not exactlygreatnews, it’s comforting to know that heavier periods are totally normal.
