To pump or not to pump... That is the question?!!!

MamaHollywood27

So my LO is an awful sleeper! I have recently started getting him in a "routine" of going down 7:30ish.
He then wakes at 9-10:30 I usual go in and comfort him but DO NOT offer the boobie- my pedi said he is 9.5 months and doesn't NEED to be eating every 3 hours.
So anyways when he wakes at 1-2 I usually bring him to bed and nurse him and repeat at 4-5 when he is then up for the day.

Ok so my question is, it's been 2 weekish since I started and the boob that he doesn't nurse on at 7:30 is HUGE at his first waking (that I don't nurse) and freaking rock hard when I do feed him.

I have never been good with this sleep thing even w 5 kids - seriously the only thing I can't give advice about- I USUALLY co-sleep til a year and nurse on demand BUT w 4 other kids it's wearing on me....

Ok so should I pump? Or will my body adjust?

MamaHollywood27

golfergirl08 said:

I would think your body will adjust to the dropped feedings! Especially if it is just one dropped feeding at a time. Just my two cents.

That's what I was thinking:) but I don't want a clogged duct. I got one w my dd and while I'm sure it's not anything like mastitis it hurt like a b****

tangerinemachine

I'm terrible at this, I got mastitis 3 times and about a billion clogged ducts.

BxMama4

I get clogged ducts like crazy so as we have faded feedings, I have pumped a little. What worked for me was fading the pumping. Initially, I'd pump 2 ounces for a few days (just enough to take the edge off and get to the next nursing session on that side). Then, I'd drop to 1 ounce for a few days and finally stop pumping.

Good luck!!

versed

I used to have a burp cloth next to me in the bed and hand express a little into it until the pain went away. That way you get some relief without telling your body to keep filling up.

Noethola

 It sounds like it is still producing after 2w? I would do the weened pumping like BxMama suggested, unless you could use the milk. :-) I'm not a super supplier, so I pump when I can to freeze for later. (I have an irrational fear I will go to the hospital or something and not be able to feed LO. Ridiculous, I know...) Pump a few oz then gradually go down, your body might figure it out even better than quitting cold turkey. 

MamaHollywood27

BxMama4 said:

I get clogged ducts like crazy so as we have faded feedings, I have pumped a little. What worked for me was fading the pumping. Initially, I'd pump 2 ounces for a few days (just enough to take the edge off and get to the next nursing session on that side). Then, I'd drop to 1 ounce for a few days and finally stop pumping.

Good luck!!

This sounds like a good idea! I may try this

MamaHollywood27

Noethola said:

 It sounds like it is still producing after 2w? I would do the weened pumping like BxMama suggested, unless you could use the milk. :-) I'm not a super supplier, so I pump when I can to freeze for later. (I have an irrational fear I will go to the hospital or something and not be able to feed LO. Ridiculous, I know...) Pump a few oz then gradually go down, your body might figure it out even better than quitting cold turkey. 

I'm not an over milk maker either. I actually don't have any freezer milk becaue I am w him 24/7. BUT do notice as he is more distracted thru the day and just snacking (he gets "meals" with us at the table to) that maybe my body is just filling cuz its used to being drained every 2-3 hours for snacks/comfort. I really thought after 2 weeks my boobies would get a clue! Lol

MamaHollywood27

tangerinemachine said:

I'm terrible at this, I got mastitis 3 times and about a billion clogged ducts.

Oh that sucks! Sorry you had to go thru it so many times! I have been luck this time, I got the clogged duct when my dad was 11 months so maybe my body just has a hard te realizing when to slow down the supply.