Expert: ruth kraft - 5/26/2009

Question
Hello,
My daughter is almost 16 months old now and I am wondering about weaning her from the breast more than she is already.  I normally breastfeed in the morning, afternoon (her choice) and at night when I am home with her - I work (3) 12 hour shifts a week - on the days that I work, I pump 3 times (morning, noon and night).  She does take some whole milk during the day and she does not get any formula.  I was just wondering if I could stop pumping on the days that I work and still nurse when I am with her - she does not appear to be ready to give it up, however, I am thinking that the time to stop is coming...  Do I still need to pump on the days that I work?  Should I stop doing the middle session only, but keep the morning & night sessions for a while then drop the morning all together?  
Your input would greatly be appreciated!
Thanks!

Answer
yes, you can stop pumping during the time you are at work. start with the least needed/wanted feeding and wean one feeding out per week. this gives your breasts the chance to adjust to the milk supply change. You can wean her by putting off that one feeding until the next one.  if you cant put it off completely, then make the nursing time shorter. explain that breasts need breaks too to make more milk. She is old enough that you can give her juice or water instead of the pumped milk that you have been expressing. and make up for the fluids in another way.  You can not pump at work ( still doing it slowly ) and that also might encourage her to not want to much as it will be harder to get out as your milk slows down.  yes, I would stop the middle first, then the am, then after a while the pm. The pm one is often the hardest for babies to give up and theres lots of cuddling going on. :)  

I hope that helped : )