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March 2011 Moms
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Done pumping. :(

soontobehimessoontobehimes
in March 2011 Moms

I think I've decided that I'm done pumping. There's been too many obstacles.. and I'm getting MAYBE an ounce each time I pump. I don't have time to power pump because my lo has been very needy lately and wants to be held all the time. I'm so upset about this. I really wanted to do this for an entire year, but I guess my body decided against that. It's not a good feeling when you want to do something but you have no control over the outcome. Sad I've been near tears all day.

But, I do have a question. I've heard of certain things to do to dry up your milk.. but I haven't had that "urge" to relieve my breasts for weeks. They never feel full or hard...so I'm wondering if I should just stop pumping and let them dry up on their own? Any advice would be good.

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Re: Done pumping. :(

  • AmzyAmzy member
    I don't have any advice but I am curious to see what others say. I am in the same boat as you, very frustrated that no matter what I do, I cannot get my supply up. I will be trying a few more things this week and then switching to full formula!
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  • Phil&CorinnaPhil&Corinna member
    I'm going through the exact same thing, and actually just posted before you about it... Mine is not a matter of supply - I have lots - but I also don't have the time to pump.  If you aren't having pain, I'd try to drop a pump or two a week at a time... My boobs hurt after about 4 hours if I don't pump (which I rarely do if DH isn't home to hold Liam) so I've been walking around engorged for a month now...  I don't really wish that pain on anyone!!  Good luck!! 
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  • tara00314tara00314
    I was thrilled to be done pumping. I had mastitis 4 times! After two rounds of antibiotics, I was over it!. Sounds bad, but I was so happy when I was done. I did it for over a month, so I was proud of myself. DH didn't think I could do it : ) But about your question, I would probably just stop if you aren't really making a lot of milk now and don't have the pain. I had to stop pumping over about a week and a half because I had so much milk. Each day I would stretch out the time in between pumping by an hour or so. I also was told to wear a sports bra or two at all times. If you do start having pain, I was told just to express enough to relieve the pain, not to empty your breast. Good luck! I think its awesome that you did pump for your LO as long as you did and you should be proud of yourself : )
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  • anglndsguse44anglndsguse44 member
    I am in the exact same boat. DS is starting to eat more than I am able to produce. I am pumping and BF throughout the day. When he is on the boob, he stays there for about an hour and still doesn't seem to get enough. If I pump first thing in the morning, I get anywhere from 5-8 ounces, but the rest of the day I am lucky if I get 1-2 ounces. Tomorrow I am going to try some formula and we may have to switch pretty soon. I am bummed, but to be honest, I feel like FF will allow me to have some time to do things. Since DS eats every two hours and BF can take up to an hour at a time, it really starts to get difficult to get things done around the house. I agree with PP - be proud that you were able to BF for as long as you did. I am!!








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  • Jujube314Jujube314 member
    I went through the exact same thing and just finished pumping about a week and a half ago.  I did wean (the pediatrician still said I should even though I was lucky to pump an ounce-1.5 total at a time).  I dropped a session every few days, then when I was down to 3x/day, I decreased the pumping time each session.  Once I was down to twice, I just stopped.  I used cold packs in between.  I leaked for a while after, though...still am once in a while.  Also, I had flu-like symptoms kick in a few days after I totally stopped.  Thought I was getting sick, but from what I read on here, it happens when your hormones regulate...kind of like it does when the milk first comes.  I think it's worth it to take the time to stop pumping gradually because it's not worth getting mastitis.  Good luck! It's so frustrating not being able to BF when you want to!
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  • bella85bella85

    Place refrigerated cabbage leaves inside your bra for a couple of hours or till they wilt. Cabbage leaves have been used for years to help relieve engorgement. We do not know exactly why cabbage leaves help with engorgement but some researchers believe that there are substances in the cabbage that help to reduce swelling and inflammation. Break up the cabbage leaves so that there are no hard veins in them. Arrange them in your bra so they are comfortable and there are no hard spots pressing against your breast

     

    That is what I did and it really helped with the pain and engorgement. I'm not entirely sure if it helps dry up the milk. I think it might, but I'm not 100%. 

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