Question:

My daughter weaned herself off from breast feeding at 10 months…I was told to pump every now and then and not stop cold turkey. I have been pumping just in the mornings when I get up…when can I stop all together??? I`m just a fraid of an infection…and what should I expect?? a build of milk and the drainage?? How long should this take?? Thank you!

Answer:

If you are pumping only once per day and are quite comfortable, you are almost there.

You might try shortening the pumping time by about 5 minutes for a week or so, then pump only every other day or daily only if you are uncomfortable. Then shorten the pumping time by another 5 minutes, until you are pumping for only 5 minutes.

When you remove less milk from the breast, the breast responds by making less milk, so when you are removing only a few mL’s you know your breast is producing minimal amounts, so that you need not worry about leaking or infection.

Best of luck, and congratulations on breastfeeding your baby for 10 months!

For more information:

Go to the Breast Feeding health topic.