Weaning as an emotional transition in maternal mental health: A call for greater sensitive and inclusive care

Abstract

Weaning is commonly understood as a practical transition, yet it carries significant emotional implications that remain largely absent from maternal mental health discussions. Drawing on existing literature and clinical observations, this editorial explores the psychological dimensions of weaning, including guilt, sadness, relief, confusion, and emotional disconnection. The lack of professional visibility of this transition may invalidate maternal emotional experiences, potentially impacting mental health. Recognizing weaning as a meaningful emotional and developmental moment can foster more empathetic, inclusive, and supportive maternal care.

Introduction

Motherhood is often portrayed as a journey marked by milestone moments (pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and early parenting); many of which have been widely explored in psychological and clinical research.^1,2 These stages are commonly recognized as emotionally meaningful and have received substantial attention in both medical and psychological settings.^3,4 However, one key transition has remained comparatively overlooked: the weaning process. ⁵

Weaning is often approached as a practical or biological event, with limited recognition of its emotional depth and psychological meaning. ⁵ While significant emphasis is placed on promoting and supporting breastfeeding initiation, ⁶ far less attention is given to its conclusion—even though this phase can be equally transformative. Beyond the physical discontinuation of breastfeeding, weaning often entails a psychological shift, involving complex emotions such as relief, guilt, sadness, or ambivalence, and may trigger reflections on identity, attachment, and maternal adequacy. ⁷

To illustrate the emotional breadth associated with weaning, Table 1 presents a conceptual synthesis, drawing from published qualitative evidence^7–9 and clinical observations, highlighting the range of emotional experiences that can arise during this transition.

Table 1.

Conceptual synthesis of emotions potentially experienced during weaning and their psychological impact (based on qualitative literature and clinical perspective).

Emotion	Description	Psychological impact
Guilt	Feelings of insufficiency or failure, particularly tied to social and family expectations.	Generates anxiety, low self-esteem, and stress.
Relief	A sense of liberation and regaining control over one’s own time and body.	Can improve overall well-being, but may also coexist with feelings of sadness.
Sadness	Feelings of loss or emotional disconnection from the baby after finishing breastfeeding.	Leads to greater emotional vulnerability and may be associated with postpartum depression.
Confusion	Doubts about the right decision to wean, along with a sense of disconnection.	Can increase anxiety and feelings of insecurity.
Satisfaction	A positive feeling related to completing the process, often linked to autonomy.	Increases confidence and emotional independence, but may also generate some guilt.
Social comparison	Feeling inadequate compared to social expectations or other mothers.	Emotional exhaustion due to social and family pressure.

The patterns described are based on qualitative literature^7–9 and clinical observations conducted in a university-affiliated psychological clinical setting in Spain. They are intended to illustrate phenomenological trends and do not represent statistically correlated data.

In the context of maternal mental health, weaning can bring with it a range of conflicting emotions, both for first-time mothers and those with prior motherhood experience. While some women experience weaning as a positive transition, others may experience it as a painful process, with feelings of loss and emotional disconnection from their baby. ⁷ This editorial aims to highlight the importance of weaning as a significant psychological and relational event and advocate for the creation of more comprehensive clinical care that recognizes the emotional impact of this process on maternal mental health.

Weaning: an emotionally complex transition

Weaning has been increasingly acknowledged in clinical and psychological literature as a complex emotional milestone in the journey of motherhood. For many women, it represents a moment of liberation associated with regained autonomy, bodily ownership, and personal balance. For others, it may evoke feelings of loss, uncertainty, or a perceived disruption in the mother–infant bond and maternal identity.

These emotional reactions are shaped not only by individual personality traits and psychological vulnerability but also by broader cultural narratives about “ideal motherhood,” social expectations of constant availability, and internalized beliefs linking care with sacrifice. Feelings such as guilt, relief, sadness, confusion, satisfaction, or ambivalence frequently emerge during this transition, demonstrating that weaning extends beyond a physiological process to become a meaningful psychological and relational experience.^8–10

Conceptual and clinical perspectives suggest that emotional neutrality during weaning is relatively uncommon. Instead, the process tends to carry psychological significance, whether experienced as positive, challenging, or ambivalent. This reinforces the need to acknowledge weaning as an emotionally relevant transition, rather than merely a practical or behavioral change, and to include it more clearly within the discourse on maternal mental health.

The lack of visibility of weaning in maternal mental health

Although weaning is a common and natural process in a mother’s life, it is rarely at the center of discussions surrounding maternal mental health. Perinatal care has tended to focus more on the initial challenges of breastfeeding and the first few days postpartum,^11,12 which is understandable given the importance of these moments. It is important to acknowledge that substantial institutional and professional resources are devoted to supporting breastfeeding initiation and maintenance, with nurses, midwives, and healthcare services actively involved in this phase in both public and private settings.^6–12 In contrast, the end of breastfeeding (despite being an equally significant transition) often occurs without structured guidance or emotional support.^10–13 However, the lack of recognition of the emotional complexity of weaning means that many mothers go through this process without adequate support. Women are often not given the space to express their emotions about weaning, which can lead them to face feelings of isolation and guilt, especially when the experience does not match those idealized in the media or family expectations. ¹³

Weaning, as an emotional process, is wrapped up in deeply rooted cultural expectations about what it means to be a “good mother.” ¹⁴ Social and medical culture has placed breastfeeding on a pedestal, highlighting its health benefits for both the baby and the mother. ⁶ However, how mothers may feel when it comes time to end this process is rarely discussed, leading to an emotional disconnect that, if not properly addressed, can lead to psychological difficulties. The lack of frameworks for understanding the end of breastfeeding can contribute to many mothers experiencing feelings of failure or insecurity, which is not only unfair but also contributes to the perpetuation of unrealistic expectations about what motherhood should be like. ¹⁵

The psychological impact of weaning: when the transition is not so simple

The weaning process should not be viewed as something negative; in fact, many women feel relieved to conclude this phase, as it allows them to regain their autonomy. However, for some mothers, weaning often brings emotionally ambivalent reactions, combining relief and sadness, satisfaction and guilt.^7,13 The fact that weaning is such a subjective and unique experience for each mother highlights the importance of providing more personalized care during this process, recognizing that each woman has different emotional and psychological needs. ⁷

From a psychological perspective, weaning involves a renegotiation of closeness and separation in the mother–infant relationship, which can interact with maternal attachment styles, previous emotional vulnerabilities, and sociocultural expectations.^1,6 This transition often evokes broader themes such as autonomy, dependency, emotional attunement, and perceived adequacy in the maternal role. Recognizing these dynamics is essential to understanding why weaning may trigger relief, grief, or a complex blend of both.

Previous studies have indicated that women who experience weaning abruptly or without adequate support may be more likely to face emotional problems, such as anxiety or postpartum depression.^10,16 The lack of support during this process, coupled with the emotional overload many women face during motherhood, can make weaning a source of unrecognized suffering.^13,17

Furthermore, weaning often occurs in a context where women feel pressured to return to their work or social responsibilities, adding an additional layer of stress to this transition process. ⁹ The pressure to balance motherhood with work, family, and social expectations can make women feel guilty about wanting to resume their personal and professional lives after breastfeeding. This perception of guilt, which is also linked to work, is another manifestation of how societal expectations about motherhood affect maternal mental health. ¹⁸

Toward more inclusive and humane weaning care

Including weaning in clinical discussions about maternal mental health would be an important step toward providing more empathetic, comprehensive, and humane care. Rather than being framed as a medical or psychological problem to solve, weaning should be acknowledged as a valid emotional transition that deserves sensitivity, support, and visibility in clinical and community settings. Clinical care should encompass all phases of motherhood, not only the most visible or clinically prioritized ones, and recognize that each stage of the reproductive experience can profoundly affect women’s emotional well-being and identity. ¹⁸

Creating spaces for women to share their weaning experiences, whether with healthcare professionals, in support groups, or through information platforms, can help reduce the isolation and guilt that many mothers feel during this process. Approaching weaning from a psychosocial perspective would not only recognize the diverse experiences mothers face but also provide them with emotional and psychological tools to help them navigate this process in a healthier and more balanced way. ⁹

Conclusion: weaning as a significant emotional transition

Talking about weaning should not imply turning it into a problem, but rather recognizing that it is one of the many emotional transitions that women may experience during motherhood. ¹ Acknowledging weaning as a meaningful psychological and relational shift can help move toward more inclusive maternal care one that supports women not only in clinically prioritized stages such as birth, breastfeeding initiation, or early postpartum but also in quieter, often overlooked moments that hold significant emotional depth.

Recognizing the emotional relevance of weaning encourages a broader and more empathetic perspective in maternal mental health, where mothers feel validated, supported, and understood during all phases of their reproductive experience. By fostering sensitive and non-judgmental spaces, health professionals and society can promote healthier motherhood, grounded in emotional well-being, autonomy, and relational connectedness not only for the benefit of mothers but also for their families and communities. ¹⁹ Ultimately, recognizing the emotional meaning of weaning is not about medicalizing a natural transition, but about humanizing maternal care.