The Emotional and Hormonal Impact of Weaning
Women are often prepared for the emotional highs and lows of pregnancy — a time widely known for its hormonal changes. Many breastfeeding mothers also find the process of weaning to be deeply emotional. Yet post-weaning baby blues are rarely discussed in women’s health.
A hormonal shift
Breastfeeding is a sacred act of bonding, and letting go of those quiet, connected moments can be difficult.
Beyond the emotional side of weaning, it’s very common for mothers to experience a significant hormonal shift when breastfeeding becomes less frequent or stops completely.
Delayed postpartum depression, also referred to as post-weaning depression, can surface in varying degrees as a direct result of weaning. It’s more than the general wistful feeling of your baby “growing up entirely too fast.” In some women it can make the everyday tasks of life and motherhood feel completely overwhelming and exhausting.
Symptoms can resemble being premenstrual, and the hormonal shift may feel intense for some women.
Symptoms can include:
Anxiety: nervousness, racing heart, or racing thoughts
Weepiness: crying spells, sometimes multiple times a day
Mood swings and irritability
Nausea
Low motivation or listlessness
Disrupted sleep
Skin breakouts
Headaches or migraines
Studies have found that “women who have high levels of prenatal anxiety and depression are more prone than others to an increase in postnatal anxiety and depression after breastfeeding cessation (Study)".
What’s going on?
Oxytocin, the hormone released during breastfeeding, promotes a sense of deep relaxation and connection. So when breastfeeding slows or stops, mothers may feel the loss of those regular surges of feel-good hormones — it can be considered a withdrawal of sorts.
Studies have found that mothers with “higher depression and anxiety symptoms were correlated with lower levels of oxytocin (Study)".
Foods to Promote Balance
This subject is significantly under-researched, so this is purely observational, but we’ve seen that it often takes up to a month for a woman’s body to re-establish hormonal balance after breastfeeding ends.
Reduce
Sugar and caffeine: Both disrupt the endocrine system and can lead to reduced levels of sex hormones (Study) (Study).
Soy: A hormonally active food that contains phytoestrogen, a plant-derived compound that mimics your own estrogen, has been shown to interfere with estrogen receptors and disrupt the body's hormones. “The endocrine-disrupting properties of soya should not be discounted and health practitioners should be more broadly aware of this phenomenon and potential outcomes (Study)".
Increase
Maca: A Peruvian root with a nutty, butterscotch flavor. Its health benefits rank high on every new mother’s wish list. As an adaptogen, maca can benefit each person uniquely by promoting homeostasis (balance in the body).
Maca is known to nourish the endocrine system, support hormone balance, improve mental clarity, and boost energy levels. The gelatinized form is generally preferred over raw, as it’s easier to digest and absorb (Study).
Self-care and touch: Weaning mothers have to go through the transition of their body being completely theirs once again. Yes, of course they are still physically connected to their children and use their body to comfort them. However, their body is no longer providing sustenance for their child, as it has done all throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding. Even if a mother is excited to regain her bodily autonomy, this transition can be difficult. Recommend that your client show as much physical attention to their child with lots of hugs and cuddles, which will help ease the transition for both of them.
It can also be very beneficial for a woman to pamper herself throughout this phase to mark her accomplishments, no matter how long her breastfeeding journey was. Getting a professional massage can be a wonderful remedy at this time because massage releases oxytocin (Study).
Because a mother’s body has given so much, it’s meaningful for her to become the recipient of care. While a massage from a partner or loved one can also be soothing, a professional massage may allow her to fully relax. Not as a favor, but simply as something nourishing that’s just for her.
Weaning marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Whether it comes with ease or emotional waves, this transition deserves care, compassion, and support. By acknowledging the hormonal shifts and nourishing yourself through the process, you can move forward honoring the incredible work your body has done and embracing what comes next.
Together, we can change the way postpartum is supported
The more we understand the emotional and physiological shifts of motherhood, the better we can care for ourselves and others. If you feel called to holistically support women through these tender seasons, our certification courses offer the tools to deepen your impact and build a meaningful, purpose-driven career.
