When Pumping Ends

My son is 13 months and recentely stopped drinking bottles of EBM while I am a work. My body is having a hard time adjusting to this. During the day I am feeling engorged and uncomfortable. Is it better to pump off a little or should I tuff it out? It is real bad on Mondays when I have had a weekend full of nursing. What should I do?

Thanks,

Jessica

Hi Jessica,

Welcome and Congratulations on your pumping and nursing success.

When did you wean from the pump during work?  How often does he nurse during the day/work hours on the weekend?

I had this trouble when weaning from the pump with my dd, Olivia.  She stopped drinking bottles, but I had to keep pumping for comfort.  In the meantime, I had dh give her the EBM in a sippy cup and/or mix it with things so it wouldn't be wasted.  I'm not surprised by the Monday effect.  It sounds like you are uncomfortable enough that I would pump a little on Mondays.  However, just take a little off the top with the pump or hand express...make sure you don't empty your breasts, just relieve the pressure.

It will get better soon, you just don't have any trouble with supply it sounds.  Eventually the weekend nursing won't increase your supply on the weekdays so much.  Especially once your ds is only nursing for a short amount of time (say, to fall asleep) once/twice during your work hours on the weekends.  I had a plentiful supply with both my pumping kids and it worked for me eventually.

Please let us know how you're doing!

Caryn

Nursed Nia for 12 mos, W&P'd for Olivia until 13-14 mos and nursed Afram until 3 years after W&Ping for 16-17 mos.

Caryn-

Thanks so much for the advise. I have tried a couple of things. I start getting uncomfortable around 1:30 so I go pump for like 2 minutes which I do not empty them just kinda relieve some pressure and that seems to help. I can tell a big difference as far a comfort from last week to this week. So it seems to getting better. I also try to push the pumping time out everyday. Example I pumped at 1:30 today and then tomorrow go at like 2 and the next at 2:30. This seem to help too. Luckily DS is ready to eat when I get home. He has been off the bottle for like 2 months. Some days I don't have as much discomfort and I don't pump but there are a few days during the week I can't stand it and go pump. When we are together he probably nurses alot like 3-4 times during the day.

Thanks,

Jessica

Hi Jessica!  You are very welcome! It sounds like the transition is going pretty well.  I hope this week is even better!!!

Caryn

Nursed Nia for 12 mos, W&P'd for Olivia until 13-14 mos and nursed Afram until 3 years after W&Ping for 16-17 mos.