Hellobee Boards

I haven't gone through weaning yet, but I know you were taking supplements to boost your supply - have you stopped taking those?

Also, since you're prone to clogged ducts, I probably wouldn't quit cold turkey! I think your plan of cutting back one session each week makes sense and in theory should work! Good luck to you! It's exciting that soon you won't have to pump anymore!!!

My thoughts are.. (1) Congratulations on making it 6 months! Such an accomplishment! (2) You probably shouldn't quit cold turkey.. That just sounds like a recipe for mastitis. I think you plan of gradually dropping sessions sounds good. That could probably be sped up with some cold meds + peppermint tea.. I've also read that cabbage leaves work well.. Put them. In the freezer, then place them in your bra at night. You might smell like a salad for a week, but whatevs! Good luck with the weaning process!

Do not quit cold turkey, it will be painful and you will be at risk for clogged ducts and mastitis.

Slowly wean by one cutting a nursing or pumping session every 5-7 days.

Congrats on making it to your goal!!

@Smurfette: Wow, I feel so out of the loop! Sounds like you were planning ahead, haha.

Good for you!!!

Oh i totally took Sudafed and Claritin for a few days to help dry me up! And i did cabbage leaves and ice packs.

I hope you feel nothing but free and liberated

@Smurfette: Congratulations on making it 6 months! It's 3 months longer than I made it, and it was tough for me to get to 3 months. So I very much admire you for making it to 6!

I agree with others that cold turkey will be hard. I gradually weaned myself exactly how you did. Give yourself a few days once you eliminate a nursing session and replace it with a bottle so that your body gets used to skipping that time of day. As you eliminate a nursing/pumping session every few days, your body will start to adjust and eventually, you'll be fully weaned! PM me if you want some details regarding my experience!

Congrats on making it to your goal!

Your suggestion sounds like it would work fine to prevent problems like engorgement or plugged ducts.

@T.H.O.U.: sorry for threadjacking but I'm really curious about this. I was hoping to stop pumping at work at 9 months and just bf morning and night but my SIL said she tried this and her supply dried right up. But you were able to make this work for another six months?

@travellingbee: Yup! I could have probably even gone longer. My body adjusted just fine to "re-filling" every 12 hours or so. My only problem was on weekends when she would want to nurse mid-day. We just got her in a routine that nursing was just for bed time.

No advice, but CONGRATS!!!!!!!

@Smurfette: No More Milk tea help me dry up really well. I got it off of Amazon. Also, I second the cabbage leaves and allergy medicine.

But, I also vote for not pumping, but nursing, if you like it. It would be a good way for your body to adjust to missing the pumping sessions. I would personally hate pumping, so kudos to you for doing it for so long! You did a great job!

Congrats on making it to your goal! I would say that the easiest way would be to wean the pumping sessions first, and then pick night or am and then just do the opposite and then be done. It's important to consider that as you wean, you will have more of those engorged feelings, and it's easiest to have your last sessions fairly spaced out (like am and pm) so you aren't feeling uncomfortable. Good luck mama! We support you

No advice for @Smurfette: but congratulations on reaching your goal! Just thought I would pipe up and say for @Bookish: and @Mrs. Blue: that we use the Target brand and it has worked great for us, better than Gerber good start. They sell it by the case online only and it is even a bit cheaper than in-store (plus free shipping!)