weaning bubs at 12months

[jessica]

Hi,

Bubs has basically weaned herself off the boob slowly, she dropped her lunch feed at about 9 months, then I stopped her morning feed about 1 month ago and last night she decided to drop her last night feed. I have to admitt I wasn't quite ready to drop that final feed yet - still clinging on to my BABY who isn't a baby anymore - I was surprised when I got a bit emotional. My question is, although I didn't really have a lot of milk left anyway my boob (only had one boob that had milk left for the past 3 months!!) is quite sore this morning - do I pump or let it go? I don't want to stimulate more milk by pumping but don't want to risk lumps etc... the usual dilemma? Any advice?

[draught]

You need to pump a little bit to relieve the pressure so that you don't get mastitis. don't do a full pump - just enough to take the pressure off. Then the next day pump a bit less, and a bit less the following. Only pump if you feel that pressure. You will only produce to replace what is gone and so by gradually reducing you will (hopefully) gradually reduce your supply. I did this at 13 months and it only took two days. I just hand expressed in the shower, rather than using the pump, and that seemed to work for me. If your milk is nearly gone you may only need to do it once (that is - today!)

Hope it all goes well

[kaydensmum]

Hi, this has just happened to me as well. When my boob was a bit sore i just expressed a sml amount by hand and was surprised at how easy it was - i expressed enough to feel comfortable and have had no problems at all.

Carole.