Overthinking this, I know. Weaning from the pump.

[Lrachelle80]

Hey guys! DD2 is 13 months old.  I currently work 2 days a week and stay at home the other 5. She nurses around the clock (not sleeping through the night....sigh) when I'm at home. We've been doing 1/2 WCM and 1/2 BM when she's at daycare. I pump 1x a day when at work and usually get about 5-6 ounces total.

However, I'm sick of pumping and now that she can have WCM while I'm not there, I want to stop. After 8 hours of not nursing, my boobs hurt, though. They aren't rock hard or anything, but definitely achy and ready for release. 

So any suggestions? Will going 8 hours 2x a week mess up my supply or is it well established enough by now that she'll be fine? How do I gradually wean off the pump and make my boobs okay with the 8 hour block?

I did this with DD1 and I totally don't remember what I did or how I did it.  

[Deleted]

Yeah I'd totally wean from pumping. if you have a flexible schedule you could push the pump til later and later each day til you are just home when it's time to pump. or pump a bit less time/oz every day til you don't need it so much. supply will adjust but it might stay a bit full feeling on those two days for a while.

[flcl]

Agree with amyg that pushing the pump time back or pump for a less time to wean. I'm in the process of cutting out my pumping sessions and only have one more to cut out now. (I pumped 3x a day.) It can be uncomfortable at first but your body will adjust. GL!!

[casey]

Your supply will be fine when you wean from the pump. It's so freeing to be rid of that thing. You can space out your pump or do less until you feel comfortable dropping it.

The thing is, if you are only apart twice a week and lo nurses frequently during the day the other 5 you are together, your body is probably not going to regulate back for those two days, so you'll keep feeling full. You can just try it for a bit and see how it goes ... Or maybe give cup of milk with lunch when you are together those 5 days so your body gets a more consistent message about milk not needed midday.

[gallumbits]

Your supply should be fine.
I ditched pumping when DS as a year and continued BFing all night and on weekends no problem.

[melody330]

Your supply will be fine. I just weaned from the pump and my LO turned one on Jan 20th. I work M-F 8-3 and he still nurses on demand nights and weekends.

Although I had a hard time mentally and emotionally weaning from my last pump, I'm so happy I did!