Dropping a pumping session today

[Ashley&Scott]

Today is the first day I'm dropping a pumping session. I'm sure it will be fine but I'm a little nervous about it.

[jennlin]

Good luck! How long do you plan to pump/nurse for?

[Ashley&Scott]

I'm planning to nurse until M or I don't want to anymore.

As for how long I'll pump, I'm not sure. For now I'm going to pump 2x per day, eventually cutting down to 1x & then possibly none. It really depends on what he does at home. Right now he's nursing quite a bit when we're together so I don't feel comfortable dropping another session. (To be honest 2x per day is a little more stressful because I'm worried my supply will dip.)

[jennlin]

how has your pumping supply been since you dropped the session last week?

i had a crazy busy day at work the other day, and i adjusted my pumping schedule...i normally pump 3x's, but i only pumped twice....for some strange reason, i got about 17 oz, where i normally get about 12 oz during my three sessions. this was the last day i worked before vacation for two weeks, and i'm back at work today, so we'll see how it goes. so far we are on trend for 12 oz (or less!) again.

[Ashley&Scott]

Odd that you got more, were you engorged prior to pumping?

My output has dropped a few ounces. I used to get 18-20oz per day, now I'm getting 16-17.

I only pump for 10 minutes, after dropping to 2 sessions I don't feel like 10 minutes is enough time. So now I"m massaging to try to speed things up. Honestly I'm not sure it's worth the stress & am thinking of going back to 3 sessions.

However I'm not sure how my employer will react (or if they will even care). No one has ever said anything about me pumping or when I need to stop. I think the laws in my state only protect me for one year though.

How long are you planning to pump/nurse?

[jennlin]

i normally nurse at about 4:45am, then pump at 7:30, 10:30, and 1pm, and that day i pumped at about 9 and 12:30. so yeah, i was slightly engorged, but not a lot, either.

since my daughter has the cow's milk allergy, haven't talked to my pedi yet, but i think she can't have WCM when she turns 1....which means i will probably full on nurse/pump as long as i can..until at the very least, 2 (since WCM alternatives are all very $$). i tell all my friends that i'm going to nurse until she's 7, so they'll have to deal with it until then . i will probably stop whenever she's ready, which hopefully isn't soon.

our state law is also 1 yr...i'm not sure though. my boss has young kids (age 4, twins) so i know she understands...she's also never said anything at all about pumping (and i do it on the clock).