Navigating Weaning While Managing Dysautonomia, POTS & Lyme Disease

My Weaning Journey: When Chronic Illness Meets Motherhood

I never imagined breastfeeding while battling Dysautonomia and POTS would be this hard.

With my first son, I was completely bedbound during pregnancy, suffering from severe low blood pressure and the debilitating effects of POTS. But after he was born, he somehow understood when I told him I couldn’t do it anymore. At one year, he slowly weaned off within a month no medication, no forcing just a gentle, loving transition.

Then came my second son. OMG, another story! He LOVES his 'booby' more than anything. Unlike my first, who used a WubbaNub pacifier until he was 3 (we had the full collection!), my second refused everything I was the pacifier.

By 18 months, I was exhausted. The brain fog, the relentless hunger, the deep fatigue it was worse than pregnancy. My OBGYN suggested Dostinex to stop my milk supply, and I’ll be honest, I actually considered taking a quarter of a pill. I have SO MUCH MILK, it’s insane. I’ve battled mastitis five times, and when my doctor said it could take four months for my hormones to regulate, I panicked.

This blog series is for YOU for the moms navigating weaning with chronic illness, for the moms who want to do it naturally, for the moms who just want to feel like themselves again.

Step-by-Step Weaning Process for Moms with Chronic Illness

1. Set a Clear Intention & Timeline

• Choose a target date within 2-4 weeks for full weaning.

• Be consistent but flexible based on your baby’s response.

2. Gradually Reduce Nursing Sessions

Instead of stopping abruptly, phase out feedings:

• Week 1: Drop the least important session (midday nap).

• Week 2: Drop another session (before bedtime or another daytime session).

• Week 3: Reduce night nursing if your child still feeds at night.

• Week 4: Phase out the final session (usually morning or bedtime).

3. Replace Nursing with Alternatives

• Warm almond or oat milk as a soothing alternative (or cow’s milk if tolerated).

• Snuggles, rocking, or singing to replace comfort nursing.

• Introduce a special weaning bottle or sippy cup.

• For night weaning, have your partner soothe the baby back to sleep.

4. Distract & Engage

• Change routines: Instead of sitting in the usual nursing spot, go for a walk or read a book.

• New activities: Outdoor play, a favorite toy, or a healthy snack.

• Offer snacks: Healthy, filling foods can reduce nursing urges.

5. Shorten & Delay Nursing Sessions

• Shorten nursing times and say, "Just a little, then all done!"

• Distract with an exciting activity or favorite snack if they ask to nurse.

• If they ask again, say “Later” or “Let’s cuddle instead.”

Why Gradual Weaning Matters for Chronic Illness

Abrupt weaning can cause severe hormonal shifts, leading to POTS flares, extreme fatigue, mood swings, and blood sugar crashes. A slower approach allows your body to stabilize.

Weaning Beyond 1 Year: Blood Sugar & Hormone Considerations

Long-term breastfeeding keeps prolactin levels high, which affects blood sugar regulation and hormonal balance. This can lead to:

• Blood sugar spikes & crashes (especially if you have adrenal fatigue or Lyme disease).

• Cortisol dysregulation (impacting mood and energy).

• Estrogen fluctuations (causing emotional shifts and PMS-like symptoms).

Supporting Your Body with Wellhistic Supplements

BOOST

• Supports stable blood sugar and adrenal balance during weaning.

• Contains adaptogenic botanicals that help prevent energy crashes.

PMS & Hormone Support

• Balances estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin to ease the transition.

• Contains Dong Quai—an herb that prevents extreme estrogen dips (found in PMS & Hormone Support).

CALM

• Regulates cortisol and helps manage anxiety and stress.

• Supports better sleep during the emotional transition of weaning.

What’s Next?

In Blog 4, I’ll cover: 

✔️ How to naturally dry up milk supply with anti-galactagogue herbs & oils. 

✔️ Avoiding painful engorgement during weaning. 

✔️ The dangerous side effects of medications like Dostinex. 

✔️ The best Wellhistic supplements to support your body post-weaning.

Ready to Wean Naturally?

Support your body during this transition with BOOST, PMS & Hormone Support, and CALM your trusted allies for stable blood sugar, balanced hormones, and stress relief.

Shop Now

XX to your INVISIBLE BATTLES & UNSEEN STRENGTH,

Carola Le-Wriedt, Founder, Wellhistic and The Holistic Detox