Dropping that last pump

[melody330]

I was so fortunate that I went back to work when DS was about 7.5 months old, but I have always HATED pumping at work.  I was counting the minutes until DS turned one so I could torch the damn thing.  I recently started weaning my sessions down to just one at noon.  The strange thing is I find myself very reluctant to drop this session.  I still loathe the pumping, but for some ridiculous reason I'm afraid to stop pumping.

I never had a problem keeping up with what DS took at DC.  I have about 95 oz in the freezer for him for DC.  Rationally, I know dropping this session will be total fine but I can't seem to do it!  

I'm not I have a specific question, maybe I just need someone to pat my hair and tell me it will be okay! None of my family or friends BF passed 6 months or so.  I am the only one I know of who plans to BF until 2 or 3 years.

[ellabee]

No advice, but following because I'm curious. I can see this being me in about 2 months. I'm currently still pumping 3 times at work and I'm reluctant to go down to two...mostly because LO gets 3 bottles at daycare, so I'm afraid if I give one session up I'll start to come up short.

Hopefully some others will have some thoughts!

[babycaps]

I am RIGHT THERE with you. LO is almost 11 months old and I was pumping 2x/day and nursing 2x/day. Last night I decided that I will no longer pump before I go to bed. I have a freezer stash, I'm still nursing him morning and evening and pumping once at work at 2pm for about 8oz. I'm using up my freezer stash and I loathe that pump but I don't want to drop my work session. What gives!?!?

I'm not too helpful, but feel that reluctance like you!

[casey]

::Pats hair::

Congratulations to you!!! This is a huge accomplishment.

I also had an emotional reaction to dropping the pump. It felt a bit like the end of an era -- my baby wasn't "really" a baby anymore if she didn't "need" my milk by day. So, I just took a deep breath and did it around 13m. After I got over the mind thing of it, I so didn't miss pumping. We are still nursing on demand when together at 18m, and it is so, so easy.

[mama2a]

My DD is 13 months and tomorrow will probably be my last day pumping. I'm down to 5 minutes of pumping and assume that since my output is so low that I won't feel uncomfortable next week. Anyway, I know the feeling! I'm sort of sad, but I don't know why because I hated pumping before. I have been telling myself that it feels weird because this has been my life for the past 13 months and it feels awkward to suddenly not do it anymore. I think that is all that is. I trust that once I get used to not pumping I'm going to find new ways to feel connected to DD.

[melody330]

Jan 22, 2015 17:21:04 GMT -5 casey said:

::Pats hair::

Congratulations to you!!! This is a huge accomplishment.

I also had an emotional reaction to dropping the pump. It felt a bit like the end of an era -- my baby wasn't "really" a baby anymore if she didn't "need" my milk by day. So, I just took a deep breath and did it around 13m. After I got over the mind thing of it, I so didn't miss pumping. We are still nursing on demand when together at 18m, and it is so, so easy.

Thanks! This is EXACTLY how I'm feeling. I'm so sad my little baby is becoming a toddler.

I've also been getting intense hot flashes at work as I'm dropping sessions. I'm going to very very slowly cut back the time I pump by a few minutes every few days. Hopefully I'll be done in two weeks or so!

[melody330]

Jan 22, 2015 19:11:33 GMT -5 mama2a said:

My DD is 13 months and tomorrow will probably be my last day pumping. I'm down to 5 minutes of pumping and assume that since my output is so low that I won't feel uncomfortable next week. Anyway, I know the feeling! I'm sort of sad, but I don't know why because I hated pumping before. I have been telling myself that it feels weird because this has been my life for the past 13 months and it feels awkward to suddenly not do it anymore. I think that is all that is. I trust that once I get used to not pumping I'm going to find new ways to feel connected to DD.

I need to trust my body too! I'm so nervous of supply drops but I know at this point it will be fine!

I currently nurse at 7:15, pump at noon and nurse again at 3:30,5:00 and 6:30. When I do pump at work I get barely an ounce so I assume it will be fine when I'm actually done!

[milasmommy2014]

I am currently debating this. Dd is 9 months old. I am still pumping 3 times at work. I have probably 400 oz or so in the freezer. She currently takes 10oz at darcare and I get 6-9oz with my first pump and 4 at noon 3/4 at 230. I can probably get away with it but then I tell myself why not keep going? It's a tough decision!

[melody330]

Jan 22, 2015 20:45:12 GMT -5 milasmommy2014 said:

I am currently debating this. Dd is 9 months old. I am still pumping 3 times at work. I have probably 400 oz or so in the freezer. She currently takes 10oz at darcare and I get 6-9oz with my first pump and 4 at noon 3/4 at 230. I can probably get away with it but then I tell myself why not keep going? It's a tough decision!

This sounds very similar to my situation. I had a huge stash, and I so wanted to drop pumps around 9 months. Then all of the sudden I had a hard time producing for the pump. I never dropped sessions at work, but I ran a heavy deficit. DS took 8 oz and I barely pumped 4. My stash quickly diminished but my supply was fine when I nursed him.

I wouldn't drop those pumps until you are closer to 12 months. I know it's hard, but you can do it!

[casey]

Jan 22, 2015 20:54:04 GMT -5 melody330 said:

Jan 22, 2015 20:45:12 GMT -5 milasmommy2014 said:

I am currently debating this. Dd is 9 months old. I am still pumping 3 times at work. I have probably 400 oz or so in the freezer. She currently takes 10oz at darcare and I get 6-9oz with my first pump and 4 at noon 3/4 at 230. I can probably get away with it but then I tell myself why not keep going? It's a tough decision!

This sounds very similar to my situation. I had a huge stash, and I so wanted to drop pumps around 9 months. Then all of the sudden I had a hard time producing for the pump. I never dropped sessions at work, but I ran a heavy deficit. DS took 8 oz and I barely pumped 4. My stash quickly diminished but my supply was fine when I nursed him.

I wouldn't drop those pumps until you are closer to 12 months. I know it's hard, but you can do it!

I donated my 400oz stash due to allergies, but this is so, so true for us. Pumping from 9-12 months was such a different game. 

And, Melody, I so relate to the hormone dump too. 

[bantyrooster]

Congrats on a year!! I stopped pumping ds at a year and continued to bf at home for 7 months. Just your feelings are totally normal, some women even get a kind of postpartum depression from the hormone changes from weaning down.

[milasmommy2014]

That is what I was worried about ladies! I will definitely keep it up I am not ready to lose my supply! Thanks for the help!

[Deleted]

It's ok to feel dad and protective of the pumping it's been a big part of your life for so long now it seems weird to not do it anymore. If you have a flexible work you might want to gradually make that pump later and later every few days til it's just time to go nurse instead. It might make it easier maybe in your heart to do it that way.

[melody330]

Jan 24, 2015 2:15:34 GMT -5 @amyg said:

It's ok to feel dad and protective of the pumping it's been a big part of your life for so long now it seems weird to not do it anymore. If you have a flexible work you might want to gradually make that pump later and later every few days til it's just time to go nurse instead. It might make it easier maybe in your heart to do it that way.

Thanks AmyG

I am a teacher, so I really can't push my pump time back any further. It's already at the end of my prep as it is. Thanks for the suggestion though

[spacedew]

Congratulations on making the year mark! You have done an amazing job. It was so hard for me to pump at work. You have a freezer stash incase something happens if you cut the last pump. Everything will be fine.

[melody330]

Thanks everyone! I made peace with it, and only pumped for relief once with my manual. I wasn't uncomfortable and only leaked when DS nursed when I got home ! It was so nice to actually get to plan and prep with my partner teacher!

Thanks again