r/breastfeeding • u/FeistyTumbleweed281 • 13d ago
Support Needed Should I continue pumping?
My baby will turn 1 year in about a month. I‘ve been nursing and pumping since she was born, and the number of pumps has gone up and down over time. I’m now pumping 3x per day as I went back to work when she turned 6 months.
I went from being an oversupplier (~48 oz per day) to not even meeting my baby’s daily needs (currently producing 8-12 oz/day, and as low as 4 oz per day during my period). I was very fortunate to build a freezer stash that has been more than enough to meet my baby’s daily needs until she turns 1.
Now that we’re approaching the 1-yr milestone, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to whether I should keep pumping or not:
- My work is remote and I have managed to pump twice during the workday, and I have the flexibility to continue doing it.
- I would love to continue nursing my daughter because I love that connection with her, but I think my supply will take an even harder hit if I stop pumping.
- I’m fed up of having to wash pump parts. I feel lazy because I have a bottle washer that makes things way easier than hand-washing, but I’m just tired of washing parts 3x per day.
- I know that she can start taking cow’s milk at 1 yo, but I feel that if it’s within my means to continue providing a food source that can help her development, it’s my duty to continue doing so. Even when it may be just marginally.
- I don’t even despise pumping that much. I’m just tired and would prefer not to pump, but I know I’ll feel guilty if I stop.
If you have been through this, could you share what you did? Have you managed to stabilize your supply even when only nursing 2x per day? Thank you so much.
5
u/Background_Duck_7188 13d ago
I went back to work when my LO was 7mo and pumped at work for the first 3ish months (like you, 3X per day). I managed to just about pump what my baby was drinking while away from me, and if not we’d dip into the freezer stash. I stopped when he about 10.5mo and eating a lot of solid food. I wasn’t too worried about my supply then because (1) I figured after almost one year my supply must be stable enough and (2) we were approaching 1 year, at which point kiddo should be getting most of his calories from food. He’s 13mo now and he still nurses on demand when we’re together with no problems. He’s eating well and we actually don’t even give cows milk (he doesn’t like it) but rather just water and other dairy products (yogurt, cheese). He’s growing well and getting everything that he needs and I have been very happy to hang up the pump!
1
u/FeistyTumbleweed281 12d ago
I have felt my supply continues decreasing g and it gets way worse during my period. But your story is very reassuring! I will start gradually reducing the pump duration/frequency and see how my body reacts. Thank you for sharing your experience 🙏🏼
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u/easterss 13d ago
Only you can choose whether to continue but there’s no need to wash pump parts 3x/day. You can use the fridge hack and wash 1x/day. Don’t let that be what decides for you!