Post-weaning Depression | UK Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week
Post-natal depression is fairly well-known, but have you heard of post-weaning depression?
Yes - it’s a real thing!
Post-weaning depression is technically a delayed onset of postpartum depression that follows the cessation of breastfeeding. These feelings of depression are triggered by the shift in hormones - the reduction of oxytocin and prolactin alongside shifting estrogen levels - as well as the grief (and often guilt) many women feel upon stopping something that contributed towards the very special bond with their baby.
Alongside all these shifts, you also have the battle of restarting your periods and then having to navigate your (emotionally fuelled) return to the workplace after maternity leave.
It’s the perfect storm.
Unfortunately, post-weaning depression is actually relatively common, but it's hugely under-represented in the literature around maternal mental health.
Therefore, it is essential that your workplace Mental Health First Aiders are aware of this risk factor for working mums. Not only is post-weaning depression more likely to develop around the time mums are returning to work (as some mums stop breastfeeding once they finish maternity leave) but the depression associated with both post-weaning and postpartum depression can last from anywhere between a couple of weeks to 3 years. This means that the likelihood of someone experiencing depression whilst working is incredibly high!
Symptoms
With symptoms very similar to PPD, someone experiencing post-weaning depression may experience some (or all) of the below:
- Increased irritability or anger
- Feelings of deep sadness (and associated tears)
- Unable to enjoy spending time with their baby
- Unable enjoy activities they used to enjoy
- Being overly negative and critical
- Brain fog and trouble concentrating
- Excessive fatigue
Note to mums: It is hugely important that you reach out for support if you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms.
Post-weaning depression doesn't always show itself immediately after stopping breastfeeding, and everyone will have their own individual experiences, therefore, even if your symptoms or timeline doesn’t fit the typical picture of PPD - if you feel that things are just ‘not right’, speak up.
The importance of weaning slowly
A hugely important factor contributing to the onset of post-weaning depression is the speed at which a woman ‘weans’.
If you read the collection of stories online from women who have experienced this condition, they all have something in common - an ‘abrupt’ cessation of breastfeeding (i.e. over a few weeks or less). Therefore, it is essential that breastfeeding mums slowly wean their baby off the breast - and I mean slowly.
It’s recommended by the NHS that you drop one feed at a time. Then, once you and your baby are settled into a pattern of having one less breastfeed, you can then think about dropping another feed. This means the process of stopping breastfeeding can take several months, but it is absolutely worth it.
If you or someone you know is looking to stop breastfeeding, it's vital that you take your time and speak to a well-informed lactation consultant about how to best approach this.
Important considerations for employers
Mums can experience post-weaning depression whether they have been breastfeeding their baby for a few weeks or a few years - the length of time breastfeeding is not a determining factor.
Some mums will be returning to work while weaning, some already weaned and some still breastfeeding, therefore - as always - a 'one size fits all approach' to supporting working mums is not going to cut the mustard.
If we are not adequately supporting working mums within the workplace, we are putting a large proportion of our workforce at risk. Aside from being incredibly detrimental to the wellbeing of our staff, this will hugely impact both employee retention rates and productivity.
So, today - take a moment to consider: Are your policies and wellbeing strategies setup to support working mums?
Check out some resources below to help you effectively protect new and expectant mothers in the workplace.
Helpful Resources
- Our article looking at working mums and postpartum depression
- Our article looking at postpartum depression in dads
- Parents.com: Understanding Post-Weaning Depression
- Lived Experience: Ashley Abramson’s story of post-weaning depression
- Maternity Action: Health and safety during pregnancy and on return to work (essential reading for HR and employers)
- HSE: Protecting new and expectant mothers at work - Guidance for employers (essential reading for HR and employers)
- NCT: Spotting signs of postnatal depression in your partner
- HBR: How to Return to Work After Taking Parental Leave
- Caring for Kids: Weaning your child from breastfeeding