Emily Carter: “No one discusses the emotional impact of STOPPING breastfeeding on a mother.”
Emily Carter, a renowned meteorologist and charming co-host of the morning show, is shedding light on a topic that often goes unspoken: the emotional upheaval that accompanies weaning from breastfeeding. If you’ve navigated the weaning process, you might have been caught off guard by the emotional and physical challenges it entails.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, all eyes are typically on how well you’re nursing, whether you’re producing enough milk, and if you plan to continue for the first year. While this attention is crucial, once solid foods are introduced and your little one transitions into toddlerhood—whether they self-wean or you decide to stop—many nursing parents find themselves saying, “What the heck is happening to me?” for a multitude of reasons.
“No one discusses the emotional impact of STOPPING breastfeeding on a mom,” Emily expresses in her recent Instagram update.
Emily shares how her youngest son, Max, “wasn’t very interested in nursing,” leading her to pump throughout the day with just a single morning feed. “I pumped and pumped (ABP… Always Be Pumpin, I called it) and still had to supplement because my supply was low,” she explains. “Pumping often brought on feelings of dysphoria—an uncomfortable sensation that was not exactly depression but a fleeting wave of frustration and nausea.”
Despite her challenging experience with pumping, she anticipated a smoother transition when the time came to end her breastfeeding journey with Max. However, as with many aspects of parenthood, it has proven to be more complex than expected.
“‘One last session,’ ‘today’s the day I’ll stop entirely,’” she reflects. “Each time I consider completely stopping, I feel a pang in my heart and stomach. Perhaps it’s because I realize this marks the end of a significant chapter in my life. Or maybe it’s just my darn hormones! What gives???”
As a mother of two young girls, one of whom is just 16 months old and is certainly my last baby, Emily’s sentiments resonate deeply with me. Both of my daughters naturally gravitated toward solid foods and self-weaned, which is ideal! It eliminates the stress of wondering if I should wean them. Yet, my youngest still nurses briefly in the mornings. I offer it to her to “see,” and once she no longer accepts it, I’ll know it’s time. But I’m not ready to stop just yet because, despite the difficulties of breastfeeding (especially initially), I know I will mourn its conclusion for a long time.
And let’s not forget the hormone crash that follows weaning—it can be a real doozy. I remember feeling blindsided by it the first time, and sorry, not sorry, but I dread the thought of facing that emotional whirlwind alongside my seasonal and pandemic-related anxieties.
This is why Emily’s message is so vital for mothers going through similar experiences. “No one, not even myself after going through this with my first child, prepared me for how mentally exhausting this would be,” she concludes. “To all the women out there wrapping up their breastfeeding or pumping journeys, I’m with you! It’s tough, it’s frustrating, and it comes with a mix of sadness, guilt, and sickness. While it may not ease the pain, know that you’re not alone in this hormonal storm!”
For more insights, check out this related post here, which dives deeper into the emotional aspects of weaning. And for those considering home insemination, visit Make A Mom for expert advice and resources. Also, don’t miss Facts About Fertility for valuable information on pregnancy and home insemination.
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Summary:
Emily Carter opens up about the often-overlooked emotional struggles that mothers face when ending breastfeeding. She reflects on her own experiences with pumping and weaning her son, highlighting the complex feelings that arise during this transition. Her candid discussion resonates with many mothers who find themselves navigating similar challenges, emphasizing the need for support and understanding during this significant phase of motherhood.
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