When to stop pumping...

[texasangel343]

I know there is a breastfeeding forum, but it's usually quiet over there.

I have a 10 week old.  I exclusively breastfeed him.  I'm also a stay at home mom so he rarely gets bottles.  Maybe 1 or 2 a week.  I have pumped and froze quite a bit.  I'd like to stop pumping but I was wondering how much you stay at home mom's have stored up for date night, etc?  I'm currently storing 4 oz per bag.

Thanks!

[lilpollywog]

I took into account how long I wanted my kids to have breastmilk, how much they were taking in, to determine when to stop.  I had to stop with my daughter but nursed my son and pumped thru 9 months.  Then I had enough stored for bottled breastmilk thru 13 months.

[lilpollywog]

I took into account how long I wanted my kids to have breastmilk, how much they were taking in, to determine when to stop.  I had to stop with my daughter but nursed my son and pumped thru 9 months.  Then I had enough stored for bottled breastmilk thru 13 months.

[cminamyer]

As long as you have a deep freeze you can save it for at least 6 months...you may think you have a good reserve now, but when you start to use it it will go fast.  I am a stay at home mom and exclusively breastfed and wish I would have saved more in the beginning, it's harder to pump and store the older the baby gets because you wont' have "extra" milk anymore you'll start to just produce what baby needs.  Also, you may want to start storing some 6oz bottles for when the baby gets older.  Good Luck!

[Meadow841]

Hello!
Well first off, congrats on breastfeeding and pumping!

My situation was a little different, because I had to exclusively pump due to other issues. But from pumping on both breasts around the clock like an infant nurses...I ended up producing 50 oz a day until I dropped some sessions and eventually quit all together at 14 months. So I was able to store a good bit and even donate some.

But for you, I guess it depends on how many date nights you think you might have...It's always good to have too much than not enough. The other think you may want to consider is if you were to get sick and need to be on some kind of medication that isn't good for breastfeeding. You may have to pump and dump during that week, and tap into your reserves until the meds leave your system.

It probably couldn't hurt to keep going a little longer and really beef up those reserves you have :) Good job on the BFing and pumping! It is definitely a lot of work, but so worth it in the end. Whenver I wanted to quit, I just reminded myself of my goals, and that always got me through those times. From being on the other side of it, I can say that you will look back and be so glad that you stuck it out.

Good luck!