@vl32 I’m sure it doesn’t happen for everyone and I really hope it doesn’t happen to you but WOWWWW this hit me so hard and I was not at all prepared for it
I had trouble maintaining my supply after going back to work at 4 months. At 7 months, we started supplementing with formula. At 10 months, I was probably only pumping enough for 2 out of 5-6 bottles a day. At 11 months I stopped pumping and nursed her at bedtime and first thing in the morning. I thought since my production was gradually decreasing the whole time that I wouldn’t get hit with the crazy hormonal fluctuations but boy was I wrong.
As soon as I stopped pumping it hit me like a ton of bricks. For about a week and a half I was crying all the time, super irritable and I felt like I was actually crazy (I was getting incredibly upset over things I knew were not a big deal at all). For several months after that I felt more depressed than I had since becoming pregnant. I do have a history of anxiety & depression and was so worried about the postpartum period but somehow managed to avoid PPD…until I stopped pumping…when they stopped screening at Dr. appointments…when no one was checking in anymore….it was so hard. My daughter is 15 months now and I feel better but still not 100%, though I have a lot going on with my family so I’m not sure if it’s carryover from weaning or just that.
I hope this doesn’t happen for you. And I don’t want to discourage or scare you but god do I wish someone told me that this happened to them so I could have been more prepared for it. Good luck on your weaning journey!