2 yo not nursing - how much pumping to wean comfortably?

[WolfMother326]

Hi,

My son has stopped nursing due to an illness. I've wanted to wean for a while due to a nursing aversion/new pregnancy. I might take this opportunity to stop as I've been able to comfort him and offer lots of love in other ways while he's not nursing and I hope this can be a good transition.

My question is how much do I need to pump or hand express to avoid getting mastitis? He hasn't nursed in 3 or 4 days and I've pumped once. Usually he was only feeding at bedtime and in the morning, not overnight, and occasional naps.

Thank you.

I wouldn't pump. Your supply will be pretty low with only one "feed" (pump) in four days. If you feel really uncomfortable you could hand express a little to remove some of the pressure but I'd try not to personally.

Could you maybe just pump to take the edge off? How far gone are you? I nursed my eldest whilst pregnant and i think i naturally dried up around 14 weeks.

What pp said. Definitely. Your body will probably find this a rally logical and natural time to stop

I stopped BF when my DCs were around 14 months (I mean each time, not multiple births!). At that point they were generally only nursing at bedtime and first thing in the morning and not for huge amounts of time.
I just stopped, didn't bother pumping or anything and it was fine. I had no engorgement or leaking. I'd only express if you're uncomfortable and I wouldn't pump - a quick massage and squeeze in the shower to relieve any full ducts would probably be enough without stimulating more milk.

Thanks all that really helps.
I only pumped because I thought offering the milk my help my son but he wouldn't take it (he has hand foot and mouth). I will just hand express or use pump briefly if necessary.
I'm only 5 weeks pregnant so still early days and could theoretically continue but I had such a rough time in first trimester with my son that I'm really worried about nursing while very sick. I feel sad/a little guilty stopping but it also feels like time and we've had a beautiful experience with it.

It's hard not to feel guilty at times, but honestly be gentle with yourself. If he's ready to wean then he's ready to wean, but just as important if you're ready to wean then that's also valid.

I had to stop feeding ds (dc2) at 15 months because I was very unexpectedly pg with dd2. He was clamping down with his teeth on my nipple and head banging to try to get milk but it had gone - that was the first thing that told me I was pg again as I had a mirena and no idea I had conceived. It's what made me do the test!

By then we were nursing mainly in the morning, sometimes also at bedtime. I was pretty straight with him - mummy milk is all gone, here, have a cup! It only took a few days. No engorgement by then as it was pretty much over and I was only producing milk when stimulated.

Was similar with dd2 though it was her decision. She woke up one morning and said "no more mum mok " and wanted a cup (she was 2). And several days later she said "more mum mok now" and I said "no it's gone" and that was that!!

Ok well we've now gone a week without nursing. I'm still making milk and hand expressing when needed. He's asked about the booby a few times but seems to think the idea is funny and is happy with cuddles instead so far. Hoping this sticks!

How long did it take others for milk to stop?

Maybe 3 or so months. Ill be honest i didn't ever really check, it was just that my daughter tried to latch on after about 6 weeks and there was still milk there. After that i don't let her as i was worried about getting a blocked milk duct if the milk was just left there.