Can you please give me your best weaning tips?

[Deleted]

I'm weaning this month. The plan is to pump 2-3 times a day instead of 3-4, cutting down to 1 then none. And I'll nurse when I'm home in the morning (tandem) and before bed (only 1), then cut out the morning feeding ( :-( this one makes me sad) then the night one.

My goal is to no longer be a milk machine for my Oct 1 start date at the new job (it got pushed back).

Any tips?? Physical, emotional, otherwise. I'm having a harder time with this than I thought I would -- I hated it all until a month or so ago (well I still hate pumping). But I just don't think it's right to take on the added stress of pumping at the new job, and the new hours make it so I won't be able to nurse at all 5 days a week. And I wish I was Tamb's mom but I don't have the supply to nurse them both on weekends (slash, my boobs probably couldn't stand it).

[Deleted]

i made an excel spreadsheet. i started backwards from when i wanted to be finished and then worked on a gradual reduction schedule. i think i dropped one feeding/pumping session every 4-5 days.

i was also surprisingly emotional about it (and made sure to make a mental note of the last time i was going to be nursing L so i could prepare myself). i cried a lot. i also started L on a gradual introduction of formula in bottles too, so that i could convince myself that she'd be okay. she was fine.

physically, i had to just hand express once in the shower after i was "finished." it sucked, but i was unengorged and feeling okay after about a week.

[eddy]

I also just gradually reduced down the feedings by cutting back on pumping and also offering it less to him. I found ways to cuddle with him like rocking in the nursery to replicate that special time we had.

[Deleted]

I went cold turkey and pumped when I couldn't stand the engorgement any longer. I effectively killed off my supply in, like, 4 days? I may have had to pump one more time a couple of days later. It took awhile for my boobs to stop making milk, but they didn't get engorged after the initial 4-6 days.

[eddy]

Oh yes I also was happy to be free once I got over it. So fun times ahead ninja! Enjoy the time you have left and then enjoy the freedom.

Said as I am currently hooked up to a pump. LUCKY!

[Deleted]

Yeah I figure gradual is the way to go. Cville I like your style!!

Eddy I'll definitely cuddle more. It'll be hard when they go gangbusters for my boobs, though -- well, if. My first night home from my first day back at work they were just CRYING and crying and crying for the boobs it made me so sad. (And I was home alone with them so couldn't tandem feed -- they'd just eaten so they weren't actually hungry -- I was a mess about it).

[Deleted]

i reminded myself that her love of my boobs =/= her love of me. she could love and snuggle and adore me, even without being fed.

and when i was finished, i was all "YAY!!!! NON-NURSING BRAS! I LOVE YOUUUUUUUUU!"

[eddy]

Ninja they will get over it quick. They have short memories! I am worried about this with Leo. He is much more dependent on the boob than Jack was to eat. But I have no intention of nursing for a year so at some point we will have to go through this too.

[Deleted]

Sept 4, 2012 12:54:06 GMT -5 cville said:

and when i was finished, i was all "YAY!!!! NON-NURSING BRAS! I LOVE YOUUUUUUUUU!"

OMG yes.

I've never been so happy to wear a form fitting crew neck t-shirt in my life.

[eddy]

I CAN NOT wait until I don't have to dress for boob access. Sigh

[Deleted]

Sept 4, 2012 12:54:06 GMT -5 cville said:

i reminded myself that her love of my boobs =/= her love of me. she could love and snuggle and adore me, even without being fed.

and when i was finished, i was all "YAY!!!! NON-NURSING BRAS! I LOVE YOUUUUUUUUU!"

This is a good reminder!! Thank you.

Thanks, all!! Yes, I can't wait to wear normal bras and clothes and kick my own ass at getting back into my old fitness routines!!

Okay......probably not my old ones. But A fitness routine

[Deleted]

We still feed them right before bed. They're starting to take less, though, as they eat more solids before baths (bottle-baby last night took 6oz instead of 8). I figure it's something they'll sort of wean themselves off. And I also fully intend to maintain a "bedtime snack" so they go to sleep w full tummies. I think it helps them sleep longer and I grew up with it. So I think you're okay, Tamb!!!

[ThirdandLong]

I hope it's an easy process for you. Watch for clogged ducts. This was my biggest issue my second time weaning.

Obtain a tea diffuser and make sage tea. You'll need plenty of sugar/honey, though, because it's bitter. Also, when you're at home, use ice cold cabbage leaves in your bra. They feel wonderful, but you smell awful when they warm to body temp. Once I was totally and completely done, I took Sudafed multiple times a day for about two days to help dry up.