Emotional Changes During Weaning: How to Cope as a Mom?

One minute, you're feeling relieved about reclaiming your body; the next, you're sobbing over a forgotten pacifier. Weaning your baby from breastfeeding? Welcome to the emotional rollercoaster nobody really warned you about! 

Many mothers find themselves caught off guard by the flood of emotions during weaning. "I thought I'd be celebrating," one mom confessed, "but instead, I'm an emotional wreck. Is this normal?" The answer is a resounding yes—those complicated feelings during weaning are not only normal, but they're also practically universal. 

Whether you're weaning by choice, necessity, or because your baby is leading the way, the emotions that come with this transition can be intense and surprising. Your body and heart are adjusting to a significant change, and that deserves both recognition and gentle support. 

This post explores why you might be feeling like your emotions are doing somersaults, what's happening in your body, and, most importantly, how to navigate this transition with self-compassion. Because Mama, you deserve to be cared for during this journey, too. 

Weaning is more than just a physical transition—it's an emotional rollercoaster that can catch even the most prepared moms off guard. During weaning, your body experiences some major hormonal shifts: 

This hormonal dance isn't just in your head—its real physical changes happening in your body! 

Beyond hormones, there's something deeply emotional about ending this chapter: 

"I didn't expect to feel so sad when my daughter weaned. Breastfeeding had become such a big part of who I was as a mom. It was our special time together, and suddenly that was changing." - This is something many moms express during this transition. 

Many mothers build part of their mothering identity around breastfeeding. When that role changes, it's normal to question: Who am I as a mom now? How will I comfort my baby? Will we still have that special bond? 

Every mom's experience is different, but here are some feelings you might recognize: 

First things first—stop telling yourself to "get over it" or that you "shouldn't feel this way." Your feelings aren't silly or dramatic—they're a natural response to a significant life change. Acknowledge them without judgment. 

A gradual approach to weaning gives both your body and emotions time to adjust. Try dropping one feeding at a time, starting with the one your child seems least interested in. This gives your hormones a chance to rebalance more gently. 

One of the biggest concerns during weaning is losing that special closeness. Be intentional about creating new bonding routines: 

When hormones are fluctuating, taking care of your fundamental needs becomes even more important: 

This is not the time to tough it out alone. Reach out to: 

You don't need expensive spa days to practice self-care (though those are nice, too!). Small moments can make a big difference: 

While emotional changes during weaning are normal, sometimes they can develop into something that requires additional support. Watch for: 

If you experience these symptoms for more than two weeks, please reach out to your healthcare provider. This could be post-weaning depression, which is real and deserves attention. 

If you're supporting a mom through weaning, here's how you can help: 

Like every stage of parenting, weaning is temporary. The intense emotions you're feeling now will gradually ease as your hormones stabilize and you and your baby establish new rhythms of connection. 

One day, you'll look back on your breastfeeding journey with fondness but without the raw emotion you feel right now. And you'll have discovered new, equally meaningful ways to bond with your growing child. 

Be gentle with yourself as you navigate this transition. Your worth as a mother isn't measured by how you feed your baby but by the love you continue to show them every day—during and after breastfeeding.