Weaning from pumping- effecting my supply?

niceneese

I was thinking of stopping pumping at work once DS hits 9 months. I have a nice stash built up so far. I don't want to give DS formula at all though. Do you think my supply will tank if I stop pumping at work? I work 2nd shift, so 4p-12a. I normally only pump at work once. I'm worried that if I drop that pump then when I'm off I won't have milk for him, and I'm worried that I'll stop producing as much during the day regularly too. Any guidance?

julyjennifer

I don't think that dropping the 1 pumping session should have too big of an affect on your supply during the other parts of the day.  I would make sure that you're still getting in at least 4 good nursing sessions during the rest of the day, though. Get plenty of water, rest, low stress.

 Have you calculated it out that your stash will cover the amount he'll drink each day until he's 1 (or whenever you'd be starting cow's/goat's milk)? I would do the math on that before dropping the pumping session, to make sure you won't need to give him formula if that's your plan.  Also consider whether you have any travel plans that will take you away from DS for any time that your stash would need to cover.

I pumped at work until DD was 13 months old, and now I've stopped pumping but we still nurse in the mornings and evenings.  Your body will adjust to produce the amount of milk that's being asked of it at the different times of day, so you should be able to continue your nursing relationship indefinitely even though you don't pump while away.

On the weekends I think that DD nurses more times per day but takes in less milk per session, if that makes sense.  It doesn't seem to bother my supply to have a different weekend routine.

 

 

niceneese

Awesome. That really answered my question thanks!