What does weaning do to your body?

Artslvr

I've weaned/stopped pumping.  It's been about two weeks.  I am getting AF-type cramps now, on and off. 

I just can't remember with DD #1 and once I weaned her - what are the effects (affects?) of weaning on mommy's body? 

I've had AF several times, even while I was still nursing/pumping and it's not that because I just finished my period for this cycle a few days ago.  I don't think it's ovulation cramps (I O pretty regularly mid-cycle and I'm not mid-cycle yet).  My cycle is regular.

I can only imagine that my hormones are - what would the word be - rebalancing?  Maybe that's causing this?  The cramps are pretty bad but they aren't all day.

I'm a little  

Artslvr

Good Lord, a Google search brings up tons of info on how to wean, when to wean, people telling you not to wean, but very, very little on what happens to your body when you wean.  Except the obvious "your breasts may feel full" or "you may continue to lactate for a few weeks." 

This is so far all I could find, from La Leche League:

"The mother may experience several physical changes after weaning. Most women find a need to adjust their diets to eliminate the calories that were supporting milk production to avoid gaining weight. Their breasts may sag at first and be soft but generally return to pre-pregnancy size after several menstrual cycles. If the mother was experiencing lactational amenorrhea, the reduction in nursing frequency will stimulate the return of fertility. The hormonal state of the mother will also change with the cessation of breastfeeding as prolactin returns to pre-reproductive levels."

Then they go into this big thing warning against abrupt weaning, which is not what I did.  I did gradual weaning.

 

 

emack

I'm really curious too and hoping other people have some answers. I've done partial weaning and am about to cut out the middle of the day pumping at work. This would take me to morning, late afternoon, and through the night nursing, which I imagine I will cut out all together in the next month or so. Besides a change in quality of life, I haven't found other benefits, so am hoping there is a bigger change with complete weaning!

Agrippa

I stopped BFing cold turkey, so I don't know if that makes a difference or not, but I didn't really experience any AF type cramps afterward.  However, I hadn't had my first AF when I weaned, and I didn't get it until I went through one cycle of regular BC. (Two months after stopping BFing)

That last week or two before my first AF, I had a ton of cramps, but nothing before that.

 

Mrs.Gabortiz

I don't remember getting any cramps at all, but I was extremely weepy and hormonal for a good 3 weeks (up until my boobs stopped making milk and the pain/swelling went down).

kbird

I put on weight.  Which makes sense, in light of how your body burns calories producing milk.  I'm thinking about weaning too (2nd baby).  And then going back on the pill.  But I feel like that will be a double weight gain whammy.  If only I could find time to exercise and/or resist downing two bowls of ice cream once kids are in bed....