Are you an exclusive pumper who is ready to stop pumping? Here’s what you need to know about weaning from the pump when you are exclusively pumping.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click a link and purchase something, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I love! More information here.
Exclusive pumping can be more challenging than nursing in many ways. However, weaning from the pump is one area where it can actually be easier!
For one thing, there is less of an adjustment for your baby. You’re just changing what’s in her bottle, not how she’s eating in addition to what she’s eating.
You can also completely control your pumping output and carefully decrease it, whereas if you were nursing, it can be difficult to know whether your baby is getting more or less than the day before.
Can you stop pumping cold turkey?
When you have decided to stop pumping, you will need to “wean” from the pump just like a nursing mother would wean her baby.
I definitely don’t recommend weaning from pumping cold turkey – this can lead to a lot of discomfort, clogged ducts, and/or mastitis.
How long does it take to wean from pumping?
Your goal is to slowly reduce the amount of milk that you’re producing.
How long it will take to wean depends on how many pumping sessions you currently have each day, your milk supply, and whether or not you are prone to clogged ducts and mastitis.
In general, I would give yourself about a week for each session that you need to drop.
If you’ve had issues with clogged ducts and mastitis during your pumping “career,” it might take you a little longer. I would give yourself a week and a half to two weeks per session.
On the other hand, if you’ve never had these issues, you might find that you are able to go more quickly.
What if you need to wean more quickly?
There are some methods to decrease milk supply that may help. Examples include:
- Drinking No More Milk Tea
- Using Cabo Creme or cabbage
- Taking an over-the-counter medication containing pseudoephedrine (such as Sudafed)
More on decreasing milk supply here.
Weaning from the pump in six steps
Below is the process that I used, laid out in six steps.
(If you’d like to read more about when/how/why I weaned from the pump with my first baby, I wrote a separate post about my experience here.)
Step 1: Drop pumping sessions until you are down to two pumping sessions per day
There are a lot of different ways to drop pumping sessions. You can reduce the time until you feel comfortable dropping a session, move sessions further apart from each other, etc. Much more on how to drop pumping sessions here.
As you drop pumping sessions, rearrange your remaining sessions so that they are more evenly spaced.
For example, say you’re dropping from four sessions per day at 6am, 11am, 4pm, and 10pm. When you drop to three sessions per day, instead of having a long break from 6am to 4pm or 11am to 10pm, you may want to re-space the remaining times so your new schedule is something like 6am, 2pm, and 10pm.
After you drop one pumping session, it’s a good idea to wait a few days before dropping the next unless you need to wean quickly.
When you’re down to two sessions, you want them to be about 12 hours apart, or as close to that as you can get (for example, 6am and 6pm, or 7am and 8pm, whatever works for you).
Step 2: Gradually reduce the length and/or volume of one of the remaining pumping sessions
It doesn’t matter which session you drop first – you can choose the one that you are most eager to get rid of. (For example, I was pumping at 6am and 7pm and decided to drop the morning one so I could sleep a little longer.)
Keep the one session you are not dropping the same length while gradually decreasing the length of time or amount of milk that you pump for the other one.
Step 3: Drop down to one pumping session per day
When you are down to just a few minutes/a few ounces on the pumping session that you’re dropping, try skipping it completely and just doing the one longer pumping session per day.
If you feel uncomfortable, go ahead and pump, but just enough to relieve the pressure.
Step 4: Hang tight for a few days
Let your body catch up with you.
Step 5: Gradually reduce the last pumping session
Gradually shorten your last pumping session (again, by time or volume, whatever has been working for you) until you’re getting only about 1 or 2 ounces total per breast.
Step 6: Stop pumping
Once you’re down to a few ounces, see if you can skip a day completely, then do one last pumping session 36-48 hours later.
Hopefully, after this, you should be all set to stop. However, if you feel uncomfortable a few days or a week later, you can pump again if you need to. It won’t suddenly spike your milk supply.
Do you have to do that last session (36-48 hours later)?
No. Weaning is different for everyone, and therefore it’s is more of an art than a science.
It’s okay to evaluate how you’re feeling and decide not to do it, or, on the other hand, decide to pump once every other day for a bit until you feel ready to stop.
Do you need to express every drop that you make to be done pumping?
No – this isn’t really possible. Your body will reabsorb any milk that you make and don’t express.
You don’t want to leave an uncomfortable amount in your breasts because of the risks of clogged ducts and mastitis, but you don’t need to get every last drop, either.
Timing the weaning process
Bonus tip if you are already getting your period and experiencing a supply drop along with it: Try timing the weaning process to correspond with that drop in supply.
Your body is already making less milk, so encourage it to continue to do so! You could drop a session at the beginning of your period and maybe another one at the end, if you think your body can handle it.
Want More Help Weaning? Use WEANING for 20% off
Weaning from the pump: an example
One of my readers sent me a visual she put together of how she planned to wean from the pump based on the above six steps. I think this is much more intuitive for visual learners, so I asked her permission to share it here.
- On the top in the “Current” column, she has outlined the six sessions that she has at the time she starts to wean from the pump. Each of them are 20 minutes long, so she’s pumping for a total of 120 minutes per day at the beginning.
- Then, she has planned out the order in which she’s going to drop each session, with a red X signifying that she’s dropping it or has already dropped it. She will drop one session per week.
- At the end of the chart, she ends up at the end of Step One above, with two sessions about 13 hours apart. She can pick whichever she’d like – the 8am or the 9pm – and drop that one, then repeat with the final session.
- At the bottom she has outlined the number of minutes that she’ll pump at the session she’s dropping as the week goes on. On day one, she’ll pump for 15 minutes and then stop, and each day after that she’ll reduce the time by 5 minutes until she’s at zero. Then she gives her body a few days to catch up until the week is over.
A few final thoughts on weaning
You may leak for a few days after you finish weaning.
One last thing: it’s normal to have mixed feelings about weaning. On one hand, you might feel a loss of connection with your little one – especially if you are weaning before you’d like to. It is also normal to undergo some hormonal changes.
On the other hand, your life is about to become so much easier – no more hauling a breast pump around, no more trying to wrangle a baby while pumping, no more pump parts to wash. Try to focus on the good work that you have done by pumping for your little one.
Congratulations! Do a photoshoot to celebrate, if you want!
Comments & Chitchat
Hello: Thank you for such an informative website. If you could answer a question I would greatly appreciate any advice. I am currently pumping 6 times a day for 11 minutes each session. I am pumping approximately 3 to 4 ounces each session. I am desperate to be done pumping. Is reducing by volume the fastest way? How much would I want to continue pumping at each session?
I think I would cut each session in half to two oz and drop it, wait a day or two and then move on to the next session (assuming you haven’t had any clogged ducts or mastitis). Good luck!
Hi there! I have never been able to produce much. After my baby had surgery my supply just tanked and I couldn’t get it back. At this point I’ve weaned myself down to 2 ppd 12 hours apart and I get less than 2 ounces per pump. Is it safe at this point to just stop? I don’t get engorged or uncomfortable anymore.
I think I’d stop at one at a time (maybe even just one day apart), but yeah, I think that would be fine. 🙂
My baby is 2.5 months old, but was 9 weeks early, so I’ve been exclusively pumping for the most part with 1-2 nursing sessions a day for the last 4 weeks. He isn’t an efficient nurser, so I have to pump after he nurses anyways. I’ve had infections, vasospasms and am super prone to plugged ducts so I’m about ready to start weaning. Currently I’m pumping 7 times a day because of the plugged ducts, but my output is only 2-6 ounces per pump, so how do you suggest I start weaning without too much discomfort?
Hi Shay! That sounds terrible. Have you tried lecithin at all for the clogged ducts? If not, it might not be a bad idea while you’re weaning. Other than that, I would drop one session at a time pretty slowly. If you’re regularly getting only 2oz for a given session maybe start with that one – you could cut it to 1oz on day and then drop it completely the next. Then repeat with the other sessions. Good luck!
My LO is turning 1 a week from tomorrow. I started to wean three days ago from the pump, dropping my afternoon session cold turkey. I have been drinking Mama’s “No More Milk Tea” 3-4 times a day to reduce the supply as well. I currently pump for 10 minutes in the morning (6:30am) when I wake up and for 10 minutes (6:30-7:30pm) in the evening to relieve pressure. I have been pumping since LO was 2 months old. Do you know how long it will take for me to dry up? I have been lucky enough not to have plugged ducts so I can go that long period of time between my morning and evening pumping session. If I end up becoming to full in the afternoon, I will hand express milk out to relieve pressure. Please help!
Hi@ I would drop one session at time. Pick which is more annoying to you – morning or evening – and then slowly start to reduce either the volume or time that you pump at that session. When that’s done, drop the other one. You can do it in a few days or a few weeks, just depends on how fast you want to go. Good luck!
My LO is turning 6 months soon and I am in the process of trying to wean myself. I have gotten myself down to 2 sessions per day. I pump for 1 hour per session. I have 2 questions. 1) Would it be possible to keep up pumping 2 times a day for an extended period of time so I don’t have to completely stop just yet? 2) When I am ready to stop and I drop to 1 session per day do I just continue to pump for 1 hour and gradually reduce the vol/time I pump from there until i am ready to stop, or do I wait until the amount I pump decreases first?
Hi Carolyn! Yes, you can do two sessions for as long as you want! As for dropping to one session, yes, I would do that – I would keep it to what your body is used to until it adjusts to dropping the other session. Then you should be good to start reducing volume/time. Good luck!
Hi I’ve been exclusively pumping for my premature baby for almost a year on July 7th and I’m about ready to wean by the time she turns 1. I’m exhausted, she’s a lot more active, but I’m also feeling a little of a bittersweet feeling about stopping. I feel guilty at times but I need to do this for my families sake and most of all for mine. Im down to 3 pumps a day and when I pump I’ll be 20-30 minutes into the pumping sessions and I’ll barely have anything like half an ounce but my breasts will still be full and full of lumps. Why is this and how can i deal with it? Thank you in advance!
Ugh this sounds terrible. It sounds like maybe you aren’t getting a letdown? Have you tried warm compresses and putting the pump back on letdown mode until you letdown? Sorry this is happening!
I apologize in advance for this long-winded and complicated post…
I’ve been EP’ing for my son pretty much since he was born because he never could figure out how to latch. I’ve had issues with oversupply right from the start (was pumping 50 oz + per day), and thanks to your website, I have been able to reduce my supply somewhat (I tried volume reduction first and got nowhere, but reducing time did help), but as I am prone to mastitis (3 times!!!) and clogged ducts, I’m pretty much at my wit’s end and want to wean from the pump. The problem is that I’ve been trying for about a month now to wean, and I’ve gotten mastitis twice now during the process (currently battling the second case now with antibiotics). I’ve tried pretty much everything to move the process along: sage tincture, no more milk tea, sudafed, antihistamines, estrogen-containing birth control, cabbage leaves… you name it! But I’ve seen no real changes. Because of the mastitis, I’m currently pumping the affected breast more frequently and fully, but I have gotten down to pumping for just 4 minutes 5 times per day otherwise for about the last 2 weeks. I will also note that as my son has been sleeping more through the night, I have gradually dropped those pumping sessions so now I do go 8-10 hours without pumping at night, and my breasts are often ridiculously full and uncomfortable when I wake up (this has been for about the past month). Can you advise on what steps I should take from here? I feel so lost and frustrated on top of the guilt for wanting to wean…
Hi Jackie! I would try to wean one session at a time instead of reducing the time on all of them at the same time. The reason for this is that you never completely empty and that’s when bad things happen and things get stuck. I would keep 4 sessions as normal and drop one, then move on to the next. Good luck!!
I pump every 14 hours now, about 30mins and 8-10oz per pump (pump to empty). I really want to wean from the pump as soon as possible. Can you please advise?
Hi Helen! I would suggest starting at step 2 above – you have two pumps that are about 12 hours apart. I would drop the first slowly (cut down maybe 2oz per day – so 8oz, then 6oz, etc.). Then wait a few days and do the same thing with the last remaining session.
Hello,
wondering if I should still feed my baby the breastmilk I pump while i am weaning, since it will have so much less fat , etc. in it. Thank you ! Reading this and the comments has been very helpful. I have been wondering why I have been feeling so sad about coming to the end of pumping despite all of its unpleasantness. My husband cannot wait until I am done pumping and I was hoping to last until my baby had surgery…but at this point I feel that being able to respond to his needs quickly matters more than pumping. He is 14 months old…I think I just needed some validation (externally–I think I have it internally) that it is ok to stop now. You mamas are all amazing.
Hi! Yes, you can feed it to your baby. You can always mix it with whatever you’re switching to (whole milk/etc) to make sure they get enough fat too. You’ve done a great job!
I’m so happy to find this thread! I’ve been exclusively pumping and supplementing with formula as I’m only producing about 8 oz a day. I pump 6 times a day for 20 minutes each and my supply is still so low. My son is almost 7 weeks old and I’m ready to stop pumping. Of course I feel very guilty knowing he needs even the little bit of breast milk he’s getting from me but I also feel defeated and worn out with not much to show for my exhausting efforts. Please advise
Hi Cara! You’re doing awesome. Try to feel guilty. It’s totally fine to wean – your baby is only going to be this little once and there is no sense in spending this time feeling defeated and miserable. If it helps, my oldest is 6 and I have zero emotional attachment now to how he was fed as a baby. (I had a lot of it when he was a baby!!) It feels like a big deal now, but it won’t always be. You’re a great mom!
I am on two pumps approx spreadout 12 hours for 5 days and I still get atleast 8 oz per pump. I pump for 12 mins and then remove the rest by hand. How would you suggest I drop the evening pump? I get atleast 2-3oz by hand per boob after using the pump. Between pumps I get engorged but it is manageable with slight discomfort. Thanks in advance.
I would reduce the volume slowly over a week. See if you can stop pumping at 10oz, then 8oz, etc. until you’re down to 2oz. Then you can drop that session.
Im glad this thread is still active! My baby is close to 3 weeks old, and I’ve been pumping (supplementing with formula) since he was born without much luck breastfeeding. I’d like to be totally done pumping by 6 weeks, using up my fridge stash as needed.
I didn’t have any trouble moving to 5 pumping sessions a day last week. This week I tried to move to 4, and I had a sore, hard spot in the left breast yesterday, and one one the right today. I went back up to 5 sessions and it seems to have eased but not completely.
Am I moving too quickly (should I stay at 5 another week then go down?) I can see my supply went down when I moved to 4 sessions, I went from about 13 oz per day to 11.
Cutting out sessions is definitely more convenient than reducing time per session for me.
Thanks for this blog!
Hi! I would wait until the clog is completely gone, wait a few days, and then try again. Good luck!
Hi,
My baby is 4 weeks old tomorrow and I’ve been EP because she was 5 weeks early and was/is a poor latcher. I’m ready to stop pumping: I currently pump 6 times a day for 20 minutes each time. I only produce about 2-4oz per breast each time, so I can’t tell whether it’s better to decrease by time spent pumping or by volume, since there isn’t a ton of volume. Any advice? I am prone to lumps if I go more than 4.5 hours without pumping. I’ve decreased pumping time to 17 minutes, which seems to be going well so far, but I’m not sure hgradually to reduce a few minutes. Thank you! This website has been a great resource.
Hi Kate! Congrats on your baby! I would drop one pumping session at a time rather than decrease the time across the board. It works for some people but for others there is a tendency to clog because the breasts are never emptied all the way. You can bring one session at a time down to 2oz total and then drop it completely, then wait a few days and do it again for another session. Good luck!
Hello, my son is 15 weeks old, and I’d like to wean from the pump now that I’m back at work. I only pump 3x/day, and my son gets a breastmilk/formula mixture. Right now I pump as follows:
9am — pump about 6-8 ounces
3pm — pump about 3 ounces
9pm — pump about 3 ounces, sometimes less
Each pump session lasts about 45 minutes — which is exhausting, but it hurts to turn up the pump much stronger (I’ve suffered from sore nipples, and have been treated for possible yeast infection of the nipples, and have been fitted for smaller flanges).
What is the best advice to wean from the pump since my volume isn’t very high, and my pump sessions last a long time? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!
I would drop the 3pm pump first – i would cut the amount you pump in half one day and then skip it the next day. Then I’d wait a few days and do the same thing to the 9pm, and then wait a few days. For the 9am, I’d drop it more slowly. Maybe reduce the amount you pump over several days before stopping completely. Good luck!
Thanks so much – really appreciate the help! 🙂
I am trying to be done pumping. I am down to 2 pumps a day but since getting there, I keep getting clogged on one side. The clogs are very difficult to clear. I don’t know what to do. I want to be done.
I’ve almost pumped for a year and the decision to stop and the issues I’m having are emotionally exhausting.
Ugh, so sorry to hear this. I would use the volume method to be done, where you slowly decrease the volume you pump over a series of days. In addition, though, I would use cabbage leaves in between the sessions that you still have in order to reduce your chances of getting a clog. I would also suggest trying Sudafed to see if that can knock out part of your supply. Good luck!
Ok. I’ll get those items this evening. I already have a clog. I have had multiple since I started the weaning process. Thanks for the help!
Thanks for your guidance on weaning–superb! I’m down to two pumps (530am, 7pm) and getting just 2-2.25 ounces per pump. I’d like to drop the morning session first. Given that I’m not producing much at all, can I just drop it cold turkey? Never had issues with clogged ducts or mastitis. When I’m down to one pumping session, assuming same output, how long to wean that down?
Thanks!
I think you can drop both cold turkey, I’d just do one at a time! Wait at least 3-4 days in between. Then 36-48 hours after your last session, pump one last time to finish up. Good luck!
I have been pumping for almost 11 months. My daughter is not so fond of sweet so she didn’t really like milk and gags from formula but she loves her fennel seeds tea. So at 6mos I started to pump only 2times before bed and morning for few months now and stacked my freezer with scolded milk because everything I stacked earlier was soapy and she refused it completely and I had to give it away. My supply is about 30oz a day. I’m ready to wean but every time I think about it I feel sad. She likes fresh milk when she doesn’t feel well or teething and that makes me sad that I won’t be able to give it to her. I have to wean completely before June7. Just want to say that it’s possible to pump 2 times a day for long time. I got lots of valuable info here. Thanks you. Now I know what to do to wean from pump completely.
Hi. I am hoping to be able to pump for a little longer too but even 3 pumps a day is too much. I need the time to do other things. I’ve dropped to 2 pumps per day this past week and pump for an hour each. How long do you pump for each time?
Hi,
I found your post and it was extremely helpful. I am EPing my almost 3 month old but I have to have surgery on June 2nd, 2017. I would like to wean off the pump by then because it is shoulder surgery and I will not be able to maneuver the pump, plus I will be on medications. Right now I pump 5-6 times a day and get around 32-36 oz per 24 hours.
My question is since I have 4 weeks to wean, should I drop a pump at a time or just reduce the amount of time I pump each time.
Thank you!
I prefer dropping one pump at a time because it’s easier for me to focus on one thing at a time, but you can do it either way!
Hi, great blog. I have expressed since my little boy arrived but had to supplement with formula from the beginning after a bad birth & a long hospital stay for us both as I couldn’t produce enough. He has 2 breast bottles a day which we are completely happy with, I have a good stock in the freezer too. I’m going back to work soon (self employed & less hrs) so when I’m there I need to be earning not pumping.
I’m currently pumping 4 times a day, between 20-30oz over all (which is fine for us) I want to drop down to twice a day but then maintain that, is this possible? If so how? I have a 3 weeks until I return to work to make some progress (doesn’t matter if it takes longer)
Should I just drop one session and then empty on the ones I want to keep & slowly decrease the third session by just expressing for comfort, I’ve not had huge problems with blocked ducts etc, had a few “tender” days (specifically on the right? Weird?)
Also should I stop with the fenugreek even tho I want to keep up the 2 sessions?
Any advice greatly appreciated, Heather xxx
Hi Heather! I think that 20-30oz per day might be hard to maintain on two sessions per day. If you wanted to try, I would make them each an hour long and just be prepared for anything from no supply loss to maybe a 50% drop. As far as how to get there – yes, what you described should work great! As far as the fenugreek goes, either way will work. How long have you been taking it and what is your dose?
I will add that it only pumped the blood and clots once and has not done it again in the last couple of days.
I have EP since my LO was a month old. I pump 6 times a day (every 3.5-4 hours) for 20 -25 mins. One breast nipple has been split since the beginning and i have battled thrush the entire time. He is now 11 months old and i am going to start the weaning process so that by the time he turns one, i will be able to stop. Why i feel bad about that…i dont know. I get emotional just thinking about it although i am sick of pumping. A couple days ago the breast that has the split nipple started pumping out blood and clots. I did not know it at the time although i did feel a sharp sting but i never looked down. Thank goodness, cause i would have freaked had i seen that come out. Have you ever heard of that happening?
I am confused about dropping the pump. I should pump less on just that pump but how long do i pump less on that one pump? A couple of days? A week?
Thanks for any advice you can give.
Ugh that sounds horrible. That happened to me once too – the stuff in the bottle looked like something Renesmee from Twilight would have drunk.
Anyway – yes, so pump less on that one pump for a few days (gradually bring it down 5-10 minutes at a time), and then quit. Wait a few days and do it again.
Good luck and congrats on weaning!!!
I’ve been EP’ing since my daughter was born. She never held a good latch, even with multiple trips to the lactation consultants. I was lucky that I produced an abundant supply of milk; however, she was great at eating it. I had some saved, but then a growth spurt came and away went my stock pile. I went back to work full time after 6 weeks and have been working to keep up with her. She is now almost 5 months and is doing great with cereal and soon baby food. With my job, its getting harder for me to pump with night functions, etc., and I’m feeling super guilty about wanting to wean. I wanted to make it until at least 6 months and then wean. The stress of always having my pump around combined with working wondering if this event will have a place where I can pump – then having to bring a small ice chest to carry the milk I pumped with me because I live in the south where its always 90 degrees and not sure how long it will be before I can go home, is taking its toll.
This site was very helpful to know I’m not the only mom out there that had to EP and is making me feel a bit less guilty. Thanks for the encouraging words and sound advice!
Hi! I love all the information you provide. I am pumping about 7 times a day for 15 minute, but producing less than 2 ounces each time, so I wondered how to increase my milk supply if I even can.
Also, I am thinking about dropping down my session because I am not producing encough and still supplementing with formula anyhow. While I want to continue giving my baby breast milk I realize it not much and mommy is exhausted!!!
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Hi! If you want to try increasing your milk supply before you think about weaning, I would read this and see what might work for you. Probably fenugreek would be my first recommendation. Good luck!
https://exclusivepumping.com/increasing-milk-supply/
I would like to go from 3 pumps a day to 1 or is that to fast? I could try 2 but I need to start using some of my frozen milk. How should I go about this? I’m nervous about it.
I would recommend dropping to 2 first. You only need to stay at 2 for a week or less, just to get your body used to it. Good luck!
So I am ready to wean off exclusively pumping. My supply dropped drastically about 2 weeks ago to where im lucky if I get more than 1.5 ounces and I have twins so it’s really not worth pumping any more. I’m curious with already a small amount of milk what steps should I take? I started shortning my time but I keep getting clogged ducts and if I hand express them, they do go away.
How many times a day are you pumping? Are you trying to drop them one at a time or reducing time for all of them at once?
I had my daughter 8 weeks ago and have been EPing since then and have hated every minute of it. I went back to work last week and have decided its time to wean. I was pumping every 3 hours during the day and every 4 hours during the night until I was dry. Last week I tried to only pump for 9-10 minutes to relieve pressure but was too engorged. Im going to try adding time between pumping sessions every few days, starting out pumping every 4 hours for a few days then every 5 hours, so on so forth. I was wondering if I should be pumping until Im dry or if I should should just pump for a few minutes to make myself comfortable? I have been taking Allegra d and using cabbage leaves since Friday but haven’t really seen a change. I would like to wean as fast as possible while still being comfortable.
I would pump until empty at every session except one (the one you’re trying to drop). That one you should slowly reduce the amount that you pump. Good luck!
Reading this blog has been very helpful to me. Over the past week, I have had mastitis in one breast and clogged milk ducts in the other. My freezer is so full of milk, I have run out of places to put it. But I don’t want to stop pumping. I feel extremely guilty and become emotional when I consider it. Yesterday, I spent at least four hours total trying to unclog my plugged milk ducts. My husband and I discussed my stopping pumping and I cried each time. We are introducing cereal to our baby right now. I feel if he were taking more cereal I wouldn’t be so hesitant to stop pumping. I was going to take Sudafed and apply cabbage to just dry up but feel that because I have such an emotional attachment, weaning would be a better choice for me.
Best of luck with your decision! It’s so hard. Whatever you decide is the right decision.
Hi Nicole. I had a lot of problems with plugged ducts too and I read in another post that taking soy lecithin would help with that. I tried it several weeks ago and haven’t had another problem with plugged ducts since. As far as mastitis goes I have found that warm compresses, ibuprofen and breast compression during pumping goes a long way to help prevent mastitis. Hope this works for you too. As for the guilt, I definitely feel you! I’ve only been pumping for 3 months and already I feel like it’s too much to keep going, but I can’t get over the terrible guilt! In the end I’ve decided that I need to wean myself. Having my life back and being able to take care of my children and myself is more important to me than trying to kill myself trying to pump. Stay strong!
Thank you very much for the reassurance and advice! I also want to let you know how much of a god send this blog is Amanda! I thought I was the only one for a long time and believed something was wrong with me. However, since I’ve found this website I feel so much better knowing there are many women out there in a similar position. I never thought it would be this difficult to EP.
So glad to hear that Carolyn! 🙂
Hi, I’ve recently made the decision to start weaning myself from EPing for my LO. I just started to increase the duration of time in between pumps. Instead of every 3 hours (for a total of about 6 pumps/day) and I’m trying to decrease to every 4 hours. So far I’m not having any problems with plugs or anything, but I was just wondering about how long should I wait to continue decreasing the frequency of my pumps? Is 1 week enough? I also can’t get over this terrible feeling of guilt over my decision to wean from the pumping. My LO is almost 3 months old and I have a pretty good stash in the freezer, but I just feel SO bad. I know she will be okay if I have to transition her to formula but I still feel like a failure. How do I deal with this? I know I’m just rambling about this, but I guess I’m just looking for validation that it’s ok. I need my sanity/life back.
Hi Carolyn! I think one week is enough.
I totally understand the guilt. I think EPing is great if you can swing it, but I also have zero doubts that having a happy, sane mom is way more beneficial to your daughter than having breast milk instead of formula. Plus – you matter, too! You are making a ton of sacrifices to be a mom, and pumping around the clock does not have to be one of them if you don’t want it to be. Good luck!
Hello 🙂 new mum of baby who’s 3 months old. I’m exclusively pumping from birth and have had severe recurring mastitis from 1 week postpartum (over 10 times). I’m trying to wean without any luck. I’ve tried sage tincture, parsley , mint to reduce my supply. I’ve tried reducing pumping just a few mls for one pumping session (advised by my doctor) and I keep getting mastitis. Also I take lecithin 3 times a day. I have not had the pleasure to even enjoy my baby. Thanks for the blog.
So sorry that you’re dealing with this! How many times are you pumping per day? Were you trying to reduce one pumping session at a time?
Have you tried Sudafed at all? That might help. Also I would try cabbage leaves.
Thanks again! I’m pumping 5 times a day now ( obviously supplementing ) I haven’t tried Sudafed yet! Been advised on a homeopathy treatment which I’ve started today to reduce supply! I’m in france so sudafed is not available only with paracetamol or other substances. I’m very prone to mastitis at night. Yes I’ve tried cabbage leaves they work well! Is it possible to wean with such severe case or should I seek medical attention.
It’s never a bad idea to see a doctor when you are so prone to mastitis. Good luck. I am so sorry you have to deal with this!
Thankyou very much
Thank you comment from Julia 🙂 Amanda thank you once again for all of the information provided on yuor website and responses, I am successfully weaned from pumping. I am happy and sad at once, mixed feleling, pumping for those who do EP is pretty much the same as BF, it’s a connection with your baby. I am glad that I provided my baby with fresh milk for 4 months at least and several weeks with frozen stash. Pumping and weaning is hard, it helps and encourages to know that you are not the only one pumping mama who couldn’t nurse. I think that all mamas who decided to EP are doing just GREAT job for their babies instead switching easily to the formular. I know how hard it is to wake up 2 times a night to pump ! ehhh….and find time during the day…Thank you once again.
I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for your blog. I have been EPing since early October. I moved to this because my daughter and I just weren’t a good BFing match and we were both bawling our eyes out at every nursing session at night! Your advice – especially the sample pumping schedules – have been spot on for me and I have come back to reference several times. Now she is over 6 months old, and I’m nearly to my goal of having enough in storage to get us at least to her first birthday (hooray for awesome supply!). It’s hard to think about not providing fresh milk for my babe, but so ready for more time to spend with her and less dishes to do. 🙂 Thanks for putting your advice out there!
Thanks Megan!!! 🙂
Have already posted comment above, my weaning goes almost smoothly with no engorgement and no discomfort thanks to your advises. I am already down to one pumping ( around 2 ounces a day) but during those 24 hours I am developing couple small but hard clots on my areola or just below it on both breasts, as soon as a pump several minutes they are gone with no extra effort, until the next pumping in 24 hours. Rest of my breast is nice and soft.I understand that when I pump I am encouraging milk production but on the other hand I shouldn’t leave those hard things there correct? I hope that my body will adjust since it’s started when I went down to 2 pumpings several days ago, but wondering why just around areola. Please advise. Thank you!!!
Hi Julia! Maybe try cabbage? That will make it less likely that you’ll get the hard lumps throughout the day. You could also just try going for 36 hours straight if the lumps aren’t painful – you might just need a last push for your supply to completely dry up. Hope that helps!
“Additionally, there is usually less of an emotional hurdle for you as the mother.” Breastfeeding is breastfeeding no matter how your baby gets milk. I am currently in the process of weaning as an EPer and this is just as emotional as switching from DN to EPing. I am not sure this statement of yours is at all helpful. I came here for advice and I am just caught up on that statement and didnt really end up reading the rest of it. Your website is Exclusive Pumping, yet you just diminished the emotional attachment of breastfeeding because we dont direct nurse our babies…
Hi Audrey,
I’m sorry that you found that statement hurtful. Obviously, I didn’t intend that! What I was trying to say was that it can be less emotional because you don’t have to deal with “refusing” your baby the breast when you wean. For example, when I stopped nursing my third baby (I EPed for my first), I had a hard deadline and had to stop her from trying to nurse when she was begging for it. I felt so guilty! When it’s you and the pump, you are more in control, which (sometimes) makes the emotional part easier. Again, I’m sorry I offended you, and I hope this helps. Best of luck with your weaning journey and feel free to email me if I can help.
Hello, I am a first time mom with a 6 month old starting to reduce pumps. I tend to clot very easily. I have recently spaced from every 3-4 hrs to every 5-6 hrs. When you talk about reducing volume, do you mean every pump session? I am afraid not emptying all the way each time, especially since I am pumping less often, will make me clot more. Thank you for your help! I love your blog, and have felt like all the feelings that come along with EPing are not just my feelings, but shared, and that is a relief!
Hi Candance! I would reduce volume only one session at a time and empty all the others. Then when you can drop the pump you’re reducing, you can move on to the next one. 🙂
Is it okay to give the baby the milk you drank while on Sudafed? If I do feel lumpy should I massage my breasts or will that que them to make more milk? Also one breast produces more than the other, should I pump then at different amounts of time?
I have an app called Infant Risk that says it is safe, but I’m not a doctor so it’s not a bad idea to check with your ped or call the Infant Risk Center to talk through it. http://www.infantrisk.com
If you feel lumpy I would go ahead and pump until empty so you don’t get a clog.
It’s totally normal for one breast to produce more than the other – I would just go with it. Good luck!
I know ultimately when to throw in the towel is up to me but given the extra cost for the hospital grade pump rental, supplements etc I need some advice….if I’ve tried everything (supplements, oatmeal, everything short of RX) when should I see an increase and if I haven’t is it a sign it’s time to wean. One of my biggest challenges is pumping 8-10x a day…it’s nearly impossible. I’m so stressed out bc my 1 month old is fussy it’s hard to find time to pump I can’t do it while she’s feeding bc she has to be set up to feed and well she’s recently diagnosed with a dairy protein Allergy so she’s on hypoallergenic formula anyways for 2 weeks to see if that makes her better. I’m dairy free to make it so she can have my milk but 2 bouts of mastitis have tanked my supply I’m barely getting 20ml per pump….I’m so stressed about finding time to pump and not pumping enough I know it’s contributing to the supply. I just don’t know what to do….
Hi Tanya! I think you should drop down to 7 pumping sessions and see how that goes. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing (making enough breast milk to feed your baby or do formula) – any amount of breast milk you can give her is good AS LONG AS you aren’t stressed out and miserable, which is sounds like you are. I would work on getting things to be more manageable by dropping a few sessions and then reevaluating how you feel. If it’s still too much, drop more (and go down to zero), if it feels manageable, stay there and give her what breast milk you can – if you want to. I hope this is somewhat helpful…. 🙂
Thank you for the such helpful article! I am weaning from the pump now and need your advise, how do I know that there is no need to pump when I am dropping the last pumping session? I mean if I feel that some milk is still there but no pressure or discomfort is it Ok to leave it??? I am prone to the clogged ducts and had bad experience with it so I am bit nervous about that last one pump…I went by the decreasing volume way and it worked very well for me. Thank you in advance!
Hi Julia! I think if you can get down to 2oz per day, you’d be good to try going 36 hours. Then try 48. I think your supply will tank pretty well doing this. Good luck!
Hello, first time mom here. Baby is a week old and I am already ready to stop pumping. My question is since I’m only a week into pumping should I start with 3 pump sessions and wean down from there or are 2 pump sessions 12 hours apart okay?
If you’re comfortable with 2 sessions then do that, but if you start to feel uncomfortable or lumps then I would go with 3. Good luck!
My little girl is 11 weeks old and I also have a 3 year old so I have decided to stop because I am just so exhausted and in return extra moody. I have a little over 4,000 ounces stockpiled. We are going on a vacation in 3 weeks and I want to be totally done by then. Help! How do I make it happen? I am going longer in between pumps now, but afraid of getting mastitis when i start feeling the lumps, because I got it with our son. I get approx 20-24 ounces during each 15-20 min session. Thanks for your help!
Hi Christine! Congrats on an amazing supply! I would use cabbage leaves, Sudafed, and sage to speed up the process. (I linked in the article above to how to reduce your supply faster – that has more details on all of that.) I would also reduce by volume – so cut out a few oz per day. Usage the stuff I mentioned above should speed things up and reduce the change you’ll get mastitis. Good luck and enjoy your trip!
I’m am just starting to come around to the idea that I am at the end of my pumping journey. My daughter will be 5 months on Friday and it is now almost, sort of, kinda a pain in the butt to EP. Can you hear the guilt in my typed out words? I’m so torn over what to do and when to do it. When you want the best for your baby but want the best for yourself too. Sleep, computer time, leave the house and have a family adventure,catch up on all my missed shows…. it’s such a hard decision. Plus I’m staring at a can of brewers yeast and fenugreek capsules that I haven’t fully used up. I’m thinking one more round of cookies, pump like crazy and build up that freezer stock while slowly introducing formula into her bottles. She’s not wild about eating cereal yet so we are still heavy in the bottles and I’d like to keep her on the breast milk or formula for as long as possible. Ugh mom guilt is so strong.
Mom guilt is so strong! Whatever you decide is the right decision. Breast milk is wonderful, but so is a happy, relaxed mom! You’re doing great.
How do I wean off 7 pumps a day 15 minutes per pump. My daughter is only 3 weeks old but we have decided as a family to stop bc it is too difficult to manage her needs with the constant pumping sessions and I am becoming quite overwhelmed and sad. I would like to wean as quickly as possible but avoid physical complications
Hi Jodi! I totally understand and am sorry that you’re having a hard time. I would suggest dropping the 7 pumps one at a time. Pick the one that is the most annoying now and drop it, then keep going. It depends on your supply how fast you can go – maybe try to do one session every 2 days? Good luck!
Can totally relate!! I think I had a form of PPD directly related to pumping… I felt like it was dictating my entire life. We weaned over the course of a week to 4 pumps a day, eventually getting to 3 around 8 weeks. Our LO is now 4.5 months old and my 3 pumps/day has maintained enough to just now be starting to have a hard time keeping up. I dropped the 15 minute pumps and added 15 to the 4 I kept. Seemed to help. Everyone is different but your body will regulate itself!
The information on your site has been so helpful so far as I started weaning- an exclusive pumper here. I have made it down to one pump basically every other day. On the second day when I wake up after not pumping at all the previous day- my breasts are so sore with one or two hard lumps- I have to pump just a little to relieve the pain. Should I just ride out the pain or keep pumping just a little and it will eventually stop.? When I do pump- I just pump for about 10-15min and I get about 4oz total.
I’m sorry you’re having that pain! I think I would suggest using cabbage leaves to try to stop altogether. Maybe try putting some cabbage leaves in your bra a few times during your “off” day and then before you go to bed? That might help with the lumps. Then I would pump as little as you can and keep using the cabbage to get to the end of the weaning process. Good luck!
How much/long should the last pumping session be? Should it be to empty out completely or just to relieve fullness?
At the beginning (when you are first down to one pumping session), it should be to empty completely. You should gradually drop this down so you are not emptying completely.
Yes it does. Thanks so much.
@Robyn So sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
@Amanda I’ve been EPing for twins for over 10 months and my last pump day is set as Feb 8th to have enough stored up to get them to one year of breastmilk. Do I wean starting that day or do I start weaning now in order to be completely done by Feb 8th?
If you don’t need any more milk to get them to a year, I would start weaning now. If you need to pump your full supply until Feb 8 to get them to a year, I would start then. I hope that makes sense!
Mesha- I’m in the same boat, EPing for twins for the past 11 months and need to return my pump I’m 3 weeks. How long did it take you to tapper completely down? I have a stock pile in the fridge but want to get as much as I can before their birthday while still returning my pump on time. For reference I currently pump about 60oz a day. I have no idea how long it takes to stop with that volume. Thanks for sharing your experience!
@Amanda if you have any thoughts/guidelines on volume & weaning I’d love to hear as well, thanks!
Hi Renee! If you haven’t gotten any clogged ducts or mastitis during your pumping “career” I think should should be able to stop in 3 weeks! I would probably start now though if that’s a hard deadline if you are currently pumping 60 oz. If you find you’re bumping up against the return date, you could look into buying a Medela Harmony or Swing to get you through the end. Good luck!
Thank you for this information! My Son is coming up to his first birthday on Feb 13th and I am set on weaning at a year. I’ve been exclusively pumping since he was about 4 weeks old because I just couldn’t get him to latch properly and he was tearing me up. I’ve been very adamant about being done pumping when he turns a year thinking about those exact same positive things you discussed…no more working our schedule around pumping’s, no more spending time hooked up to the pump while my family gets to roll around on the floor playing, no more stressing out when I can’t keep up more normal schedule from day to day…but with only a couple weeks left before I start weaning the thought is making me weepy. I’ve been so dedicated to do this for my son for so long, the thought of not doing it is somehow making me feel like some part of our connection is being severed, even though he hasn’t actually nursed directly from me for almost 11 months of his life. Little did I know that exclusively pumping was going to come with it’s own set of emotional struggles. 🙁
It’s so hard! I felt the same way about the connection. The extra time you will have is sooooo nice though, hopefully the feelings will pass quickly. Good luck!
I was told today that I have to start some medication and shouldn’t feed my baby the milk I pump. I became emotional about that and hate of thinking of pumping and dumping the milk I feel I work hard to get for him. However, I never made enough milk for him and was supplementing about half his feedings with formula anyway. Just not ready to stop all together.
Just a thought – doctors sometimes can be overcautious about this, it’s not a bad idea to double check with the infant risk center. You can give them a call for free to confirm that you need to dump the milk. http://www.infantrisk.com. Good luck!
Well done Deanna. My son was one yesterday and I’ve been exclusively pumping for him since birth as he wouldn’t latch and had tounge tie. I also decided to pump until he was a year old. I’m cuttently going from twice a day to once. Though I’d go cold turkey but this has worked so wean off slowly I’m full and sore for the first time in months.
Well done for going to a year it’s such hard work
I am down to pumping once every week-week and a half. I only express an once or 2, what ever I need to express for comfort, then stop. When will there be nothing left to pump, ball park? Because I feel like I’m being counterproductive by even pumping 3 times a month. I want zero times a month, haha. Thanks!
I would stop completely and use a cabbage leaf for comfort if needed. Good luck!
Thank you for the advice- I’m having to stop with the boob juice after finally getting a diagnosis of cmpa and lactose intolerance! Sad to stop breastfeeding but can’t wait to ditch the pump!!
This is so sad, I am really so sorry… :'((((
In my case I was expressing for my premature baby who has lost his fight for survival at 3 weeks old. Born at 23 weeks and 5 days gestation. Weaning my breasts off milk that was meant for him is not easy. Please bare the mothers in mind who have to do this. Thank you for the advice.
I’m so very sorry for your loss.
i’m so very sorry. will keep you in my prayers Amanda
i meant to say, sorry to you Robyn
So sorry for your loss and hope you’re doing as best as possible. Even though I don’t know you you’re in my prayers. I know your precious angel is happy and at total bliss up in heaven waiting for you.