Night Sweats During Weaning, Is This Normal?

Updated on May 23, 2009
A.M. asks from Los Alamos, CA
8 answers

So I breastfed my son for 2 years. I have been slowly weaning him over the last several months, to make it easier on the both of us. I quit the last feeding (nighttime)just this Monday. So far, im totally fine. (He's not but I knew that was the consequence of extended breastfeeding). My question is have any of you experienced night sweats--Im soaked! while weaning or after stopping altogether? It's only at night. This does also happen to me after I give birth--when my milk starts coming in. I think there is a connection, but just wondering if anyone out there is going or has gone thru this too. If so, how long does it last? I also nursed twins for a year but don't recall going thru this. But that doesn't mean i didn't! ;) Any insight would be so helpful. Thanks in advance.

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M.L.

answers from San Diego on

Hi A.,
Nightsweats are common for women who are weaning due to decreasing hormones in the circulation. However, if you experience other symptoms like generalized itching, fevers, fatigue or unintentional weight loss see your doctor. These other symptoms can be constitutional symptoms of lymphoma.

C.C.

answers from Visalia on

hello A.,

to my surprise i thought only menopause'ers (as i am) had the night sweats, lol.

I dranked oolong tea, just to drink it, and i notice i dont suffer the hot flashes. now its my routine. can get at any oriental store or chinese restuarant. has to be oolong or wu long tea.

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P.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi A.,

I remember those days! I can't really remember what stage I was in, but I have had months when I would soak the bed with sweat, night after night. I think it's a hormone thing. Right now I don't have that problem, and I'm not pregnant or nursing. I have had success with other problems (not night sweats, in particular, but many other symptoms) by using acupuncture and chinese herbs. You could try acupuncture and see if that helps. But I think you'll probably get over it sooner or later, like I did.

Hope this helps!

S.I.

answers from San Diego on

Hi A.,

You might also check in with a local acupuncturist who specializes in women's health issues and has knowledge of herbal medicine. There's a relative estrogen deficiency going on, which could be corrected easily at this stage. Best of luck...

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B.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

I congratulate you for giving your sons the best start in life by breastfeeding them!

Breastfeeding suppresses, to some extent, the normal menstrual cycle. It's mother nature's method of spacing out babies so that the one you have gets fed during his or her infancy before the next one is conceived, births, and needs the milk. Mind you, it's not fool proof, you can hear a 100 stories of how it didn't work. In our modern world we tend to forget about what our bodies did to survive, genetics, and the urge to reproduce. Mothers, until very recent and modern times, breastfed their babies until the child could eat what the rest of the family ate. Think about it...we have formula and baby food, 1000's of years ago women regularly breastfed until toddlerhood.

Your body is returning back to the reproducing mode because you are no longer needing to produce milk for an infant. Nightsweats and hot flashes are chemical reactions when your body is searching for hormones. Your brain sends a signal throughout your body looking for female hormones, such as estrogen, when it finds or does not find it, a reaction takes place and you may flush, have funny feelings and or sweat. It's natural and nothing to worry about even if it is fairly uncomfortable.

Hope you are feeling more comfortable soon!

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A.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

I experienced night sweats after I finished weaning (not during, but I took 2 months to wean) Funny, but since I weaned so slowly, I was down to 1 night pumping session for 3 weeks that I didn't think I would experience anything-HA! I had a full gammet of night sweats, and being a bit emotional, and some "weird" feelings both physically and emotionally- everyone says its just your hormones balancing out- so now 3 months after-i feel a lot better...

Best of luck to you, and congrats on breastfeeding for 2 yrs! WOW!

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J.W.

answers from San Diego on

It is your flucuating hormones. This is a little foresight of menopause. Sucks, but it will pass.

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N.H.

answers from San Luis Obispo on

Yup,it's normal. At least it was for me. After each of my babies (4 of them) I experienced night sweats. I'm an older mommy (gave birth to first at 35 and last at 42+50wks) so I just expected it, I guess. Now that I'm pretty sure I'm perimenopausal, they justs come when they may. Herbs do help quite a bit as well as good rest, excercise and healthy eating. Good luck. You've done the very best you could for your baby. Be proud! Oh, and the time thing does get better, a LOT better from here on out. You will look back and be amazed at what you were actually able to accomplish, expecially with twins! You go girl!

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