How to Safely and Easily Wean from the Pump
How to Stop Pumping
The ability to pump breast milk is a blessing, but let’s be honest, there aren’t many moms out there saying “I love pumping!”. The good news is, there comes a point in every mom’s life when it’s time to stop pumping. But, before you’re ready to take off your flanges and put the pump away, you’ll want to make sure you’re weaning from the pump in a safe and effective way. Without taking the necessary steps to gradually stop pumping, you could be putting yourself at risk for clogged ducts, mastitis, and general discomfort. Here are some simple tips to help you wean from the breast pump.
When Should you Stop Pumping?
Deciding when to stop pumping is completely up to you. To put it bluntly, you should stop pumping whenever you want to. It is not uncommon for mothers to feel guilt or shame around quitting breastfeeding or pumping. But, I’m here to tell you that a happy and healthy mom is more important than any ounce of breastmilk. Every mother has their own reasons for wanting to wean from the pump. Maybe it’s because your baby is getting older, or your supply isn’t great, or you’re having issues with pumping at work, or because you’re just plain exhausted and don’t want to be hooked up to a machine anymore. Guess what? All of those are perfectly acceptable reasons for wanting to stop pumping.
How Long Does it Take to Wean Off Pumping?
The length of time it takes to wean from the pump is different for every mom. Some factors that will affect how long it takes include whether or not you exclusively pump, your current milk supply, if your baby still feeds at the breast, how many times a day you currently pump, and more. For example, it will take an exclusive pumping mom longer to wean from the pump than a mom who only pumps twice a day. Most women will be able to fully wean from the pump in a few weeks to a month.
How to Wean from the Pump
The beautiful thing about milk production is that it works on a system of supply and demand. So if you’re ready to stop pumping, all you have to do is gradually slow down the demand for milk. Here are some simple steps to follow when weaning from the pump:
1. Cut One Pumping Session at a Time
The first step in weaning from the pump is to gradually drop your pumps per day. The best way to do this is by increasing the time between pumping sessions. If you currently pump every four hours, you can drop a pumping session by pumping every 5-6 hours. Continue to drop pumping sessions until you’re down to one pump per day.
2. Decrease the Amount of Time you Pump During Each Session
As you’re dropping pumping sessions, you can also start shortening the duration of your pumping sessions. If you typically pump for 20-30 minutes, start cutting every pumping session to only 15 minutes, then 10 minutes, and so on.
3. Give your Body Time to Adjust
As you’re weaning from the pump, you want to make sure you give your body time to adjust. You’ll want to cut pumping sessions and pumping duration over a few weeks, not a few days. This gives your body time to slow down the milk production process.
4. Listen to your Body
You’ll also want to listen to your body as you gradually stop pumping. This means, if your breasts are feeling full and painful, it’s okay to throw in an extra pumping session. If you’re feeling engorged and uncomfortable, pump just enough to relieve the pain and take the edge off (if you’re a pumper you know what I mean). This can typically be accomplished by pumping for just a few minutes.
5. Shorten the Last Pumping Session until You No Longer Need it
Once you’re down to one pumping session a day, just shorten that session until you no longer need it. The goal is to completely quit pumping without feeling engorged or uncomfortable. Slowly cutting down pumping sessions and pump durations will help you get there in just a few weeks.
How to Stop Pumping in the Middle of the Night
If you’re not ready to stop pumping completely, but want to stop pumping in the middle of the night, you can follow similar steps. If you’re pumping more than once at night, start increasing the time between those pumping sessions until you’re down to just one MTNP (middle of the night pump). Once you’re down to just one pump per night, slowly start decreasing the amount of time you pump. If you typically pump for 20 minutes, pump for 15 for a few days, then 10, then 5, and so on until you’ve completely dropped that pumping session. Again, it’s important to listen to your body and wean in a way that works for you.
Can you Stop Pumping Cold Turkey?
Although the desire to quit pumping cold turkey is totally understandable, I wouldn’t recommend it. Stopping cold turkey will only result is lots of discomfort, and most likely clogged ducts and mastitis. If you abruptly quit removing milk from your body, that milk isn’t going to have anywhere to go. When milk builds up in your breasts, your breasts get hard, engorged, and warm to the touch. It doesn’t take long for clogged milk ducts and mastitis to arise.
Side Effects of Weaning from the Pump
Some common side effects of weaning from the pump include:
- Engorgement
- Clogged milk ducts
- Mastitis
- Hormonal changes
- Mood swings
- Depression/feelings of sadness
Other Things that Can Help your Milk Dry Up
If you’re looking to stop producing milk completely, here are some things that can help speed up the process:
Cabbage Leaves – Cabbage leaves are known to relieve engorgement and slow down milk supply. Simply wash and dry your cabbage leaves, put them in the fridge for a few hours, then place the leaves inside your bra. You can swap out the leaves every few hours and repeat this method as needed.
Pink Stork No Flow– this hibiscus mint tea is loaded with anti-galactagouges that will help stop milk production. It’s 100% organic and caffeine free.
Earth Mama No More Milk Tea – this caffine free herbal tea is made with organic herbs that help reduce breast milk production.
Cabocreme – this all natural cream can be applied directly to your breasts to help stop milk production.
Final Thoughts on Weaning from the Pump
When it’s finally time for you to quit pumping, make sure to move through the process gradually. Give yourself a few weeks (or up to a few months) to completely wean from the pump. Save yourself from the pain of engorgement, clogged ducts, and mastitis by slowly cutting back on pumping. Be sure to listen to your body throughout the process. And celebrate yourself for time and dedication you put into pumping milk for your baby (whether it was for one month or one year). You deserve it!
Related:
- How to Gently Wean your Toddler
- How to Clear a Clogged Milk Duct
- How to Manage an Over Supply of Breast Milk
Simple Steps to Help you Stop Pumping
DISCLOSURE: Coffee and Coos is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. Always consult your doctor for medical advice.
Some posts on this site may or may not contain affiliate links. Coffee and Coos is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. To learn more, visit our Privacy and Disclosure page.
