Weaning from Breast Pump; Exclusively Pumping and Bottlefeeding

Hi Tanya, I understand the feeling. I had 1 breast that wanted to clog too. I used a hot pack, and massage of the breast to keep it from clogging up. Granted you do it all day long or your will keep your milk supply going. This helped to dry up, and helped easy any discomfort. If this doesn't help, I know there are also some natural herbs that help to dry up the milk with no side effects , and no clogging. Hope this helps.

Maybe you need to try weaning very gradually. For example, instead of eliminating a pumping session all together, try cutting one pumping session back by a couple of minutes, then a couple more minutes the next day, then a couple more each day until you drop that session. Then choose the next session to start cutting back by a couple of minutes each day until you drop that session. Depending on how many times a day you pump, it could take a while do do it this way but maybe just going slowly would help.
Obviously this is your choice and if you want to wean now- then go for it. But if you have any doubt about whether it is time to wean, I would explore your options for pumping at work so you can continue to breastfeed. It is a commitment and you do have to do some juggling in your work schedule, but it can be done.
Good luck no matter what you choose to do!

I'm the mom of a 4 1/2 month girl. We pumped for the first 6 weeks. I had met with a lactation consultant who suggested taking a couple weeks to wean off the pump. She recommended cutting out one pump a day for a couple days then 2 for a couple days and so on. I took about one an half weeks then stopped. I used ice packs frequently and tylenol for the pain. I've heard cabbage leaves do help to cool and fit nice. Good luck!

I know that Good Samaritan has a lactation consultant (I met her at the library), but she only works part time. You might want to give her a call to see what help she can offer. I, too, worked while my son was an infant and I still kept breastfeeding him. Okay, so he still nurses at 2 years. Like some of the others, I think your babe would still nurse and might appreciate the opportunity. You could pump at work, if needed.

Hello Tanya, when I have a blocked milk duct, i would massage my breast or sometimes I get a warm wet face towel and put it on my breast to help soothe the pain, then massage. I have a 7 mon old boy and I was exclusively pumping to give him brest milk. I gradually weaned him and took motrin to ease the pain. hope this help

Have you tried contacting La Leche League? http://www.llli.org/ They would be an excellent resource for you for finding information.

Plugged ducts are common with pumping, some get them, some don't. But the pump will not extract milk nearly as well as yoiur baby. My advice? Find a lactation consultant in your area and get your baby back on the breast, that way your baby can extract the milk properly, and yo ucan pump when you go back to work and continue to breastfeed. At 3 months old your baby will easily transition back to the breast.