Advice on dropping last feed and preventing engorgement etc

[HolidaysQueen]

My DS is a couple of weeks shy of his 1st birthday, I'm back at work and I'm ready to stop bf. I dropped the morning feed about 5 days ago, and my breasts have been fine going 24 hours between feeds - haven't had to pump at all as although they've got a little bit full they haven't been sore. I'm lucky in that I've never had a problem with blocked ducts/mastitis/engorgement and I'd like to keep it that way! So, how should I go about preventing all this when I drop the evening feed?

Should I wait until they feel really full and achey before pumping, or should I pump as a pre-emptive measure? How much should I pump to stop engorgement but not stimulate supply?

It's a fairly big feed for him so I'm a bit worried about engorgement. Are there alternative ways to drop this feed gradually, e.g. shorten the time he is 'allowed', so that I'm less likely to get engorged?

Thanks!

I stopped altogether at 14 months after cutting down to 1 feed around 12 months. I didn't get engorged at all and didn't have to take any special measures.

Actually, we had a few one-off feeds when he was upset for a month or so afterwards and the milk didn't dry up all together for ages and ages afterwards. No leaking or anything though. It was completely "on demand".

I don't think you've anything to worry about if my experience is typical.

thanks shona - i do hope it's the same for me! anyone else?