Want to stop pumping

[Luby786]

Hi all I need advice and support in this. I exclusively pump 3 times during the day with 4 hours gap in-between and 3 times at night with 4 hours gap in between. I've been doing this for 3 months and I have come to a decision where I cannot do this anymore as it is very exhausting but at the same time I am feeling very guilty and upset.

I now pump every 5 hours to reduce my milk supply but feels like I am making more milk as when pumping both breast my pumping bottles is full of milk and I still have more milk left in my breast. When pumping for every ,5 hours, should I drain my breast out to reduce milk supply or should I leave some milk in my breast? Should I take any medicine to stop my breast milk?

Well done for pumping so long! Just keep slowly reducing the frequency you pump and your body will start to adjust.

Pumping is EXHAUSTING. You've done so well.

They will learn to regulate. Same as a baby directly feeding. The less they're used the less they'll produce, just backwards of the early days ! Don't keep draining them or they'll never "learn" !

I dont have any advice (I pumped and fed Dd directly and just reduced the pumping frequency when I wanted to stop) but I wonder if you would get more advice on the “infant feeding” board?
I really admire the effort you have put in, pumping every day and night for 3 months. It is so boring and tiring. I do not think you should feel guilty at all - you have done so well, and your decision to now stop is the right one for you and baby given how exhausted you are. I dont think anyone who has not exclusively pumped could understand.

Don't feel guilty at all, you've done amazingly well pumping exclusively for so long. I did it for 6 weeks and that was a struggle. I remember feeling that I was selfish for giving up because it was inconvenient, surely my baby's health was more important, etc. But your baby is loved and well fed, that's all that matters - breastmilk or formula.

I would just gradually reduce the pumping slowly and not drain any extra milk, just wait till the next pump. Your body will catch on soon.

Enjoy this time with your lovely baby!

Thank you all for your lovely messages and advice. I feel better knowing I'm not the only one who has felt like this.

I will continue to pump less frequently and try to not fully drain out. Hopefully my milk supply decreases

Agree with everyone, you have done amazingly! I gave up after 4 weeks and the midwife and HV said to pump enough to take the soreness away of the full boob but not to drain, and, as you day, less frequently.