I am down to two pump sessions, one in the morning and one at night. I get about 10 - 12 oz each session. I am unsure what to do next, do I go to just one session and then stop altogether? Or do I just stop and see? If I go to one and then stop, how long should I wait inbetween? TIA
I'm weaning right now too. I cut out the morning session last weekend and plan to keep the before bed nursing for another two weeks or so. I think my supply is diminishing on it's own now because it seems like the girls aren't getting as much as before.
You can drop one session at a time for a gradual wean, or stop both if you're just ready to be done. I haven't been uncomfortable weaning this way, so far. I'd be interested to hear what others have to say though.
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With my DS#1 I went from pumping 8 to 6 to 4 to 2 and then 1 x/day with 3-4 days inbetween each change (I never was able to BF so I EP'd for 6+ mos and when I decided I was done, I was DONE!). When I got down to the 2 and 1x/day pumping, I would shorten the pumping times (i.e. from 15 to 5 min) to relieve some pressure, but to send the message to my body that I didn't need more milk. Then when I got down 1 x/day I would use some hand massage to relieve some of the pressure when needed, and just stopped pumping all together, eventually my body got the point.
I think it was ~2 1/2 weeks between the 2 x/day to completely stopping pumping time and I never had any problems with clogged ducts, etc...
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I just started weaning my last two feeds yesterday (I was breastfeeding am/pm only, no pumping needed, no engorgement). Wow, 10-12 oz! . If you wait to pump like an hour later than you usually do, do you feel engorged? If you do feel engorged, I would gradually reduce the amount that you pump off so pump only 8 or 9 ounces and every 3 days decrease this amount. Do this for both pumping sessions. You may be more comfortable with the gradual decrease. I was expecting engorgement because I abruptly stopped nursing, but it's been two days and I've had no pain/engorgement.
Re: Weaning help
I'm weaning right now too. I cut out the morning session last weekend and plan to keep the before bed nursing for another two weeks or so. I think my supply is diminishing on it's own now because it seems like the girls aren't getting as much as before.
You can drop one session at a time for a gradual wean, or stop both if you're just ready to be done. I haven't been uncomfortable weaning this way, so far. I'd be interested to hear what others have to say though.
With my DS#1 I went from pumping 8 to 6 to 4 to 2 and then 1 x/day with 3-4 days inbetween each change (I never was able to BF so I EP'd for 6+ mos and when I decided I was done, I was DONE!). When I got down to the 2 and 1x/day pumping, I would shorten the pumping times (i.e. from 15 to 5 min) to relieve some pressure, but to send the message to my body that I didn't need more milk. Then when I got down 1 x/day I would use some hand massage to relieve some of the pressure when needed, and just stopped pumping all together, eventually my body got the point.
I think it was ~2 1/2 weeks between the 2 x/day to completely stopping pumping time and I never had any problems with clogged ducts, etc...
Hi,
I just started weaning my last two feeds yesterday (I was breastfeeding am/pm only, no pumping needed, no engorgement). Wow, 10-12 oz! . If you wait to pump like an hour later than you usually do, do you feel engorged? If you do feel engorged, I would gradually reduce the amount that you pump off so pump only 8 or 9 ounces and every 3 days decrease this amount. Do this for both pumping sessions. You may be more comfortable with the gradual decrease. I was expecting engorgement because I abruptly stopped nursing, but it's been two days and I've had no pain/engorgement.
Good luck.