weanig...how did you do it and how long did it take?

flyliceandcoffee · December 2013

So I'm planning on weaning S when she gets her first tooth or at the beginning of the year, whichever comes first. I'm not entirely sure how to go about doing it though. I had to cut out a pump for a couple days last week but I actually got more overall for the day than I would when I added in that extra pump. For those of you who have done this before, do I just start cutting out a pump/feeding every couple days until we're down to nothing? How many days do you go between dropping the next pump? Does it matter which feedings/pumps you drop first (day, night)? How long did it take for you to finally dry up? And, did you find that you were completely engorged and leaking all over the place while you were weaning? I know, so many questions...

KLJ3 · December 2013

I stopped pumping at the end of September and am almost back to pre-pregnancy sized bras, but I'm pretty sure my milk dried up completely within a month of quitting (I mean up until that point, I'd occasionally leak a couple drops when getting out of the shower).

If you're still doing any overnight pumps/feedings, I'd drop those first. Then go with convenience. If you traditionally produce more at a certain time of day, don't drop that pump right away. Take it easy and wait for your body to adjust: some can drop them pretty quickly, others can't.

At the end, when I only had 2x per day left, I tried to have them evenly spaced. Then I went to once per day for three days, and then I quit entirely. There was discomfort about two days later, but nothing terrible.

Good luck!

megandscott07 · December 2013

I EP'd until 7 months and started weaning at 6 months, so I took an entire month to do it slowly. I just dropped one pump every 5-7 days. The last week of once per day was the hardest but it was never terrible. Good luck!

stephzrn · December 2013

I EP only and started weaning at 6 months.LO is 7 months and I'm down to 2 pumps a day. I went slow because of my history of mastitis. I gradually increased the time between pumps, never really just dropped one. I'd space them out farther and do that for about 4-6 days then continue that process. Good luck.

AllieAGame · December 2013

I EP'ed and started weaning on the most blessed of commemorative days, October 25 (praise be to October 25!). By Thanksgiving I was totally done pumping and drying up. I took my time weaning, and could have done it faster, but it's hard to give up the mentality of, "OMG, I have to pump!" Lex didn't take to formula right away, so I had to maintain a bit of a supply to get her used to the mix. I think your LO is ok with formula, right? If so, I would do what everyone else has said, but just follow your gut.

My gyno gave me the best advice about engorgement, though. She said once you are totally done nursing and/or pumping then put on the tightest sports bra or other stretchy top (I had some really tight spandex shaper tanks with the shelf bra) you have and leave it on for 3-4 days, even to sleep in at night. Also, do your best not to touch your boobs (especially your nipples) at all. I did this and could tell I was engorged, but it didn't hurt. By day 4 I had no pain, no leaking and was left with the sad, floppy, deflated breastbags that I hope you get to experience soon. Heh.

flyliceandcoffee · December 2013

thanks ladies! I didn't realize it takes that long.

@cromie713, I'm not so worried about the teeth, it was just a milestone I was going with. I knew once we got past the first month, if I made it to 6 months I was going to stop at the end of the year or she got teeth.

@AllieAGame - did your sad, floppy breastbags start to shrink yet? I don't have very big boobs to begin with so I'm hoping that means it'll take less time to dry up since there was only so much it could produce to begin with!

megandscott07 · December 2013

I did the same as stephzrn, didn't drop an actual pumping time, just stretched the time in between each more. I was done about 4 weeks ago and my boobs are finally back to pre-preg size (although def more droopy now!)

jesselayne8 · December 2013

With my first baby, I weaned very slowly over 7wks by dropping one session a week. I never felt engorged and never leaked.

aibrean · December 2013

Never had any issues with engorgement. Baby weaned herself at around six months. I couldn't get her to eat anything in the morning. Now she waits at least 1-2 hours after waking to eat anything because she doesn't feel hungry.

john5111 · December 2013

It took me about a month but I did it very slowly. I gradually took out like a pumping session each week until I was down to like morning and night and then I went to just mornings.. At the end I went a couple days and then had to pump just a few minutes due to pain.

flyliceandcoffee · December 2013

thanks ladies! I dropped one pump this morning, gonna keep that up for a few days and see how it goes...

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