Maternal feelings after cessation of breastfeeding: influence of factors related to employment and duration.

The purpose of this study was to measure feelings following weaning in women planning employment within 1 year postpartum and to examine the effects of factors related to duration and employment on these feelings. No significant differences in feelings of sadness, anger, guilt, and relief were reported by women who weaned due to mother-led reasons or baby-led reasons or in women who did or did not meet their breastfeeding goal. Women who did not feed their babies as planned when employed, however, felt significantly more sadness/depression and guilt compared to women who achieved their planned method of feeding.