Counting the days I have left to pump - OR should I just stop

[Anonymous]

I am so tired of the pumping ordeal. I am counting the days I have left to pump (28 pumping days until my DD is 1 YO if anyone cares). Is the fact that I am counting an indicator that it is time to stop?
"You did a great job doing as much as you did and it is fine to stop"
OR
Have other mom's who pumped until 1YO when your toddler started milk also gotten into that how many days left mindset.

Thanks for your thoughts

[Anonymous]

I just got done pumping for my am session. My dd turns one next Saturday, but I don't mind it that much. I did at first, but then someone said they felt it was a nice break from work. So I thought, why not make it a nice break. So anyway, I'm going to keep pumping even after my dd turns one. I'll just wait and see when I stop. I think I'll reduce pumping and go from 3 sessions to 2. Nursing is still going well for us, so I just want to keep doing it until we both want to stop.

But anyway, do what feels comfortable you. One isn't a magic number. If you want to quit now, then why not? You could give it a try and see how it goes. Pumping and nursing is a two-way street, and you should do what feels right for you.

[Anonymous]

I am all for breastfeeding, and I went beyond the one year with both my children. That said, if you are really that miserable and counting down the days, then I would go ahead and reduce the number of pumping sessions starting now. By your baby's first birthday she will be weaned from the breast milk, you will be stop feeling like a dairy farm.

[Anonymous]

If you are counting days, it's time to stop.

[Anonymous]

you can always just nurse before daycare and before bed. I did with my son for three months after stopping pumping at 10 months.

[Anonymous]

I was counting the days, and stopped pumping about where you are right now. I had a freezer stash, and DD was already being supplement with formula during the day. So I started by cutting one of my two sessions. I found that after about a week, I was pumping less at the one pumping session, and phased that out over the course of the next week. So I stopped pumping before DD turned 1. It made me very happy

[Anonymous]

PP here - I should add that we continued to nurse in the morning and before bed for about another month after I stopped pumping.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your replies - I am planning on continuing to nurse in the am and pm but just wasn't sure if counting the days left of pumping was like counting the days left of being pregnant - sort of like the end is in site.

[Anonymous]

I am in the exact same boat - one month of pumping left til DS turns 1. I am definitely counting down the days, too, but I figure if I've made it this far and don't have a freezer stash and haven't supplemented to date, I might as well hang in there for the final countdown. I still plan to do the am/pm nursing for a while, but I will be happy not to lug the pump to work. (Of course I'm sure I will miss uninterupted time behind closed doors at work.) That said - I think you should do what will make you and your baby happy.

[Anonymous]

You could always start the transition to whole milk, and use this last month as a winding down from the pump period. That's what I did. I am still nursing my 18 month old, and stopped pumping at 11 months or shortly thereafter.

[Anonymous]

I am in the same boat too, but I have two months to go. What is hard for me is lugging my pump back and forth, washing to pump parts, trying to fit in pumping sessions, etc. I figure I have made it this far without using formula, that I want to keep going until my DD can have regular milk. To the OP, congrats on making it this far and if you have done for 11 months already what is one more.

[Anonymous]

I am in the same spot as OP. I have 3 weeks to go till DS is one, but my problem is that I am hardly getting anything when I pump – maybe 2 ounces after pumping 2xs day at work, which is not enough. We’ve never supplemented with formula, so I’m wondering if there are other parents who’ve switched to whole milk a few weeks early or if I need to start supplementing with formula for 3 weeks. Any suggestions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am in the exact same boat - one month of pumping left til DS turns 1. I am definitely counting down the days, too, but I figure if I've made it this far and don't have a freezer stash and haven't supplemented to date, I might as well hang in there for the final countdown. I still plan to do the am/pm nursing for a while, but I will be happy not to lug the pump to work. (Of course I'm sure I will miss uninterupted time behind closed doors at work.) That said - I think you should do what will make you and your baby happy.

Why don't you just keep bringing the pump. Turn it on if you think people will be suspicious, but you could still have that uninterrupted time.

[Anonymous]

OP - can you start the countdown with only 18 days instead of 28 days? Start shortening the # and duration of the pumpings in 18 days as opposed to 28 days.

Give yourself 10 days to wean yourself off the pump so your body can adjust and stop lactating gradually. Otherwise, you may find yourself with engorgement, blocked ducts, etc.

If you're really desperate to stop pumping, call the pediatrician and ask if it's ok to give whole milk at 11 mo. - especially if your toddler has never had digestion issues. That might lessen the 28 days to go.

[Anonymous]

Good for you- what a milestone!

I was counting down to the 6 month mark, when I could stop EBF. One month later at 7 months, I'm still mostly BF but have cut myself some slack and am supplementing one formula feed most days of the week. I am hoping to hang on with BF in some capacity until the 10 to 12 month mark.

I guess some die-hards out there would say keep going, but I think your child has reaped the benefits and you should be proud of what you've done!