Oh wise MNT readers. I'm writing today to ask your advice.
Kiel will be a year old in just over a week. I've written before about how much I love breastfeeding him, but also how I fight for every ounce.
My goal is to breastfeed until Kiel is two, as Dr. Sears recommends, or until Kiel weans himself. And frankly, the way he loves my boobies I don't see that happening any time soon.
My problem is my milk supply seems to be dwindling and I'm really tired of pumping. I pump every night after Kiel goes to bed, and then before I go to bed for close to an hour, because it takes that long for me to get four ounces (if I'm lucky). I also pump for close to an hour at work every day. I'm afraid if I stop pumping my supply will dwindle even more. But damn, it's getting old.
And if I stop pumping I can't send breastmilk to daycare.
If I stop pumping and only breastfeed in the morning and before bed will I continue to produce milk? I'm afraid if I try it out and my supply dwindles even more, I won't be able to build it back up again.
Any readers out there that did the extended breastfeeding thing? And if you did, did you continue to pump after the first year?
I have certainly done the extended breastfeeding thing, but I have almost no experience personally with the pumping. Because breastmilk is supply and demand, you should be fine, and he will still get milk when he is nursing, because your body will adjust to making milk at the times he is nursing. A year is a long time to pump for, (I don't know if I could have done it!) and as long as he is nursing at all, he will continue to receive the benefits of the immunity and other good things from the breastmilk, along with the closeness. Good luck with it, you are a good mommy!
ReplyDeleteBo will be 1 in a little over a week but I am planning to wean completely at 1 year (we are going to begin trying for baby #2).
ReplyDeleteI stopped pumping a week ago and am only feeding him morning and night. So far, I am still producing enough for those two feedings but I am not sure how long you could maintain something like this.... ??? Hopefully someone else has an idea.
I definitely can't imagine pumping for another year. 1 year was long enough. :)
You ladies are amazing I only breastfed 2 of my 3 for 8weeks-I have no advice other than ya'll rock!
ReplyDeleteI breastfed 3 kids. Each for at least 18 months. They were eating food & nursing got to be 2 times a day. They were fine, so was I. I hardly ever pumped. You will continue to produce as needed. I love hearing about moms that want to do this! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter just went back to work last week, Taylor is 10 weeks old and she is afraid she is not keeping up with the supply while she is at work...will let her know about your replies
ReplyDeleteYou know I cannot contribute to this conversation - but...
ReplyDeleteIs that TV seriously still there?!!
I am tempted to just send you a tow dolly so you can move it yourself.
I breastfed both girls and pumped after going back to work, but not for as long as a year. Once I stopped pumping, I would still breastfeed at night before bed, and my supply stayed consistent. As for the two year thing - more power to you, although I'm reminded of my relatives comments about someone in the family who breastfed for even longer than two years - "If they're old enough to ask you for it, then it's time to stop!"
ReplyDeleteI just want to say YEAH to you for keeping with it! I think everyone has had good advice. I have nursed five children - tandem nursed and there always seemed to be enough! My youngest weaner was at 14 months (her choice) and my oldest was almost three! I have never had to pump for lack of milk, I have had to pump because I had too much --so my hat goes off to you for sticking with it.
ReplyDeleteI think at this point, it is not as much about the nutritional value and so if you did not pump that would be just fine!
Good luck to you! A magical day!