When to stop pumping

clairek766 · Post by **clairek766** » Sat Oct 26, 2013 10:41 pm

My son turned 2 today and I'm still expressing...

I pump once a day at work and get up to 200ml, which he has at day care or when he's home with his dad.

I work three days in the office and I am sick of doing it I really am, but I'm worried it will hit my supply if I stop, plus he happily drinks what I leave for him.

Am I mad to still be pumping at this age?

If I gradually stop will that maintain my supply? Will it force him to wean on the days we are together?

Hope all this makes sense!

Penguin · Post by **Penguin** » Sat Oct 26, 2013 10:50 pm

When DD started at daycare I was pumping twice a day (8 months). I dropped to once a day at about 11months and then stopped completely at about 14 months. I stopped just before she was ready - when I dropped back to one pump (due to work logistics) I had to comp with formula at times. Once my stash ran out (didn't take long) I sent soy milk and/or cows milk to day care for a bit (one 100mL bottle a day) until she stopped drinking then at about 15 months.

I pumped on one or two occasions after that when away all day for a wedding etc. DD is 2.5 months now and I've not pumped in about a year.

I got a bit engorged when I stopped pumping, but it was managable - a bit full and hard and a little sore, but only uncomfotable, not painful and ony for a few days.

I wasn't getting near 200mL a pump by then though - about 90 - 120mL I think. Could you drop back to 150mL for a few days, then 100mL etc? I'm not a BC - that's just a mother to mother suggestion.

Happy birthday to your son, and congratulations on WHO-hood :)

keyfive · Post by **keyfive** » Sun Oct 27, 2013 8:20 am

I only work one day a week so it may be different but I was expressing once a day until DS2 was 18 months old. I decided this year that it was too time consuming to express so I stopped. DS2 was about 18 months. No problems with my supply at all, I feed DS2 on demand on the days that i don't work and that seems to keep my supply up. Somedays I will feel full at work but not overly engorged. I think as long as your DS has free access to your breast on the days you are not at work you should be ok. I agree with what Penguin has said too, about slowly reducing the amount you express. That way you should be able to stop feeling too engorged.

fellare · Post by **fellare** » Sun Oct 27, 2013 11:19 am

I stopped pumping at 16 months or so. I didn't notice an effect on my supply, but I do notice that they are rather full on Monday afternoon. I work 3 days a week.