I'm not a dairy Cow! Help...

[Lady H]

How do I stop pumping and not get Mastitis? Can I reduce the number of times gradually? It's a long story why I'm moving to FF but its not up for debate.

I just need to understand how I can transition LO with my huge freezer stash of expressed. Milk but stop the pumping.

Thanks.

 

[hopingforit]

I'm still pumping but what I've heard works to avoid the discomfort is to slowly drop sessions. Starts stretching out the length of time you go between the pumping sessions and you will get to where you are only doing 1-2 pumps/day. At this point, you won't be so uncomfortable and you can stop without as much pain or risk of getting mastitis.This worked for me when I was trying to drop pumps. I went from 8-4 pumps a day and still make the same amount so you will probably be able to store a good amount of milk while doing this.

 

[cupcaker]

I breastfed for 6 weeks then decided to switch to a bit of both (did this for a further two weeks) then was exclusivley formula.

I began by cutting out the night feedings after I pumped before bed (I had about two-three bad mornings of waking up saturated in milk and couldn't lay on them by the time it was the early hours because it was uncomfortable) ,but I would pump when I got out of bed to ease discomfort and prevent mastitsis. It was maybe horrible for 2 days and by the 3rd getting a lot better.

My body soon figured I didn't need the production at night and drastically reduced. I wore a good tight bra, this seemed to help. I just ended up missing more and more pumping sessions in the day (often unintentional) and this really helped. For instance I had a few days out where it wasn't convienient to do so, and it went from there. To be dried up completely only took about 2 weeks if that..must admit, I feel amazing now. But do pump if it's getting painful. Be gradual. I thought it would take longer than it actually did.

 

[VmrsbabcockV]

Good luck lady H.
Sorry I'm not sure about the pumping as I'm stopping cold turkey

 

[vintage67]

Might have more luck in the breastfeeding section. Many of us had no milk to pump, no enlarged breasts, etc.