Expert: ruth kraft - 10/13/2010

Question
QUESTION: My daughter is 8 weeks old and I would really like to stop pumping. I am an overproducer (pumping about 15 oz every 4 hours) I have about 1400 oz stored in the deep freezer. I have tried cutting back and can sometimes go up to 6 hours but I feel so engorged pretty much all the time even shortyly after long pumping sessions. I have had Mastisis twice and REALLY do not wanna go through it again. How should I go about stopping that can reduce my chances of getting another infection and with the least amount of pain as possible.

ANSWER: WHen pumping, start to  decrease the amount of time you pump. Do not pump until your breasts are empty, only pump to remove the fullness of them.  Every few days decrease pumping time by a minute or so and also move pumping time back a half hour or so. Do not wait until you are engorged. Pump when full but again only to take the edge off.

You can also put cabbage leaves in your bra once or twice a day for a few days until the leaf wilts. This will reduce the milk supply. If after 2 days you have no response to cabbage, you can use sage tea, drink it or put the tea bags on your breasts to help as well. Don't do them both at the same time though as you don't want to dry up , just decrease supply. Do that for a couple days till you notice a difference, then stop the tea or leaves and continue to wean pumping as above until you  no longer need to pump :)

There are milk banks that would LOVE your donated milk if you ever don't use it all. Donate it to preemies who are sick :)

I hope that helped!
Ruth Kraft
www.honoringwomen.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I do want to dry up, Im sorry I should have said that. I have been exclusively pumping-was unable to breastfeed. My Dr said to go cold turkey and just bind them, use icepacks and tylenol for pain but I honestly dont think I could handle that much pain, if I go too long without pumping its absolute misery. Is this the only way?

Answer
Because you are trying to dry up completely, then use the sage tea and cabbage at the same time... as often as you can deal with it. if you get too full pump only for a couple minutes to release pressure but thats it. In a few days you shouldn't have to keep pumping.  then just continue with those 2 things until it dries completely or until you no longer get fullness.