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Anxious about weaning? Or anxious FROM weaning?

topic posted Thu, May 8, 2008 - 10:01 PM by 
It's been nearly a week since my 16 month old has nursed, and we've been really tapering off for a few weeks now. I have generalized anxiety disorder (for which I take medication), and the past few days I have been feeling SUPER stressed and keyed up. Not depressed, but I don't tend toward depression anyway, but anxious anxious anxious. I've done some research online, and it seems that things like this can be linked to weaning - and the readjustment of hormones as a result.

Has this happened to anyone else? I read that someone here had success with drinking St. John's Wort tea, but it's contraindicated to the medication I already take AND I can't get tea down...it's repulsive to me and triggers my gag reflex.

Does anyone have other recommendations? I'm trying to get more exercise in (which is something I need to do just for general health) and cut down on caffeine.
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  • Cath...
    Catherine
    offline 13

    Re: Anxious about weaning? Or anxious FROM weaning?

    Thu, May 8, 2008 - 10:23 PM
    if you are on medication then your baby is also. do you have a anxious baby? do they recommend giving your baby the medication you are taking when you were breast feeding. the baby may actually be used to (or addicted to) that med and is therefor become anxious with out it and therefor you are feeling anxious. moms and babies have the same feelings. or vibrate the same frequencies. you can take tincture or with glycerin for st. johns wort. but probably scullcap/motherwort/passionflower/ combination tinture will help you. how bout Wishgarden Herbs. Deep Stress or Emotional Aly. these both work great. you could take rescue remedy flower essence. ask at health food stores.
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  • Re: Anxious about weaning? Or anxious FROM weaning?

    Fri, May 9, 2008 - 10:12 AM
    hey lizzer.

    i don't have any advice on things you can take to alleviate those feelings but i just wanted to chime in and let you know that when cookie weaned herself at 1 year old, i was a BASKETCASE. i was anxious, depressed and really really a mess for lack of a better word. even though i never felt the symptoms of pms, i think it was like a heightened case -- between the anxiety and depression i was also bloated as hell and just felt like i might snap at any moment. it went on for several weeks and then finally one day the air just seemed sweeter and lighter. i want to say that it lasted for 2-3 weeks. not fun at all, but i got through it and in the end i felt better than i had in a long time (and i got my mojo back! -- hence the 2nd pregnancy).

    you'll get through it and i am here for you if you need to vent or for anything else.

    love,
    lola
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    • Kisa...
      Kisaya Rayne
      offline 112

      Re: Anxious about weaning? Or anxious FROM weaning?

      Sat, May 10, 2008 - 9:29 PM
      Your little one weaned at one year old? I can't help but think maybe that's what my baby is doing. I'm trying to keep up with it because of the benefits of extended breastfeeding, but he seems to be wanting it less and less every day.

      I'm glad someone brought up the anxiety thing, too. I've been feeling really anxious about, well, damn near everything. I don't get it. It's nothing to get all worked up about. Even so, I just can't help it. It's been horrible. However, it's good to know that it's normal. Maybe it is just that my little one is deciding he's done with the mommy milk... I don't know... Thanks, though. You'd think I'd know given this was the second time through for me, but maybe not...
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