Dylan Matthews, a well-known meteorologist and co-host of the TODAY show, is shedding light on a topic that often goes unspoken: the emotional complexities of stopping breastfeeding. If you’ve ever weaned a child, you may have been caught off guard by the feelings that arise, both mentally and physically.
During pregnancy and nursing, the focus is primarily on how breastfeeding is progressing, whether you’re meeting feeding goals, and plans for the first year. While this attention is important, once solids are introduced and children transition into toddlerhood, many parents find themselves grappling with unexpected emotions when the time comes to stop nursing. “No one talks about the emotional toll that stopping breastfeeding takes on a mom,” Matthews expressed in a recent Instagram post.
Matthews shared that her youngest child, Oliver, was not particularly interested in nursing, resulting in her pumping frequently throughout the day. “I pumped and pumped and pumped (Always Be Pumpin, I called it) and still had to supplement because I didn’t produce much,” she explained. “Pumping gave me such dysphoria… a feeling that wasn’t really depression, just a fleeting sense of frustration and nausea.”
Despite her challenging pumping experience, Matthews thought she would be ready to end her breastfeeding journey, but the reality proved more complicated. “Every time I consider completely stopping, I feel a twinge of sadness in my heart and stomach,” she wrote. “It might be because I’m aware this signifies the end of a significant chapter in my life. Or maybe it’s the hormones!”
As a mother of two daughters, with one being just 16 months old and definitely her last baby, Matthews’ reflections resonated deeply. Both her daughters self-weaned, which relieved her of the stress associated with making the decision. Yet, her youngest still nurses briefly in the mornings, and she finds it difficult to let go completely.
“I know that even though breastfeeding can be tough, especially at the beginning, I will miss it dearly when it’s gone,” Matthews expressed. Furthermore, she recalled the overwhelming emotions that often accompany weaning, especially the hormone fluctuations that can exacerbate feelings of sadness and anxiety.
Dylan’s candid thoughts are vital for mothers navigating similar experiences. “No one, not a single person, not even myself having gone through this before, warned me about how mentally challenging this would be,” she concluded. “To all the women out there ending their breastfeeding journey, I’m here for you! It’s tough, it’s disheartening, and we won’t truly feel better until these hormones settle down.”
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In summary, Dylan Matthews articulates the often-overlooked emotional challenges of stopping breastfeeding, inviting mothers to share their experiences and acknowledge the complexities of this significant transition in their lives.
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