Please respond if you have any input on this.

Mani is 18 mos. old and I've pumped for him ever since I returned to work (when he was 3 mos. old) so he can have a bottle in the morning w/ Papa (well, Papa doesn't have a bottle though he might like one). Lately, he has no interest in the pumped breastmilk, whether in a bottle or a sippy cup. He'll drink other liquids, but very little of the breastmilk or even cow's milk. But he'll nurse when I come home and throughout the night.

What do I do? I still need to pump when at work (I'm here for 7 hours), but I don't want the milk to go to waste. And I'm afraid that if I don't pump at work, my supply will taper off even though he's nursing in the afternoon... Any suggestions?

I am so impressed with how you've stuck with the pumping for so long - 15 months pumping!!! Super! The longest I pumped was to about 14 months, and after that I just nursed whenever my child wanted when I was home. My supply did not seem to diminish - though it did take a little while to not feel over-full during the working day (which was about 9 hours) - you might want to taper off the pumping gradually. YMMV of course, but I think your supply will keep up with your son. Even without pumping, my child continued to nurse while with me until about 3 years of age.

Enjoy your nursling!

Margaret

I didn't pump very much with my last daughter who is now almost 22months. But until just under 6 months ago I would feed her on my lunch breaks. I live close enough that I was able to come home. Now my family joins me at work for my lunch their dinner. She got too interested in the surrounds to even care to breastfeed. At first I leaked a bit, worse after the weekends. I don't see a real loss in my supply. Somedays I feel she nurses more now. If we are home it seems that it's all she wants to do.

On a side note with my 2 boys I didn't pump during my 8-9 hour days and I had a great supply, With my oldest I had milk for almost a year after he self weaned at 2.

I'd be one not to worry too much about it, but I've never had a problem with supply. So I'd agree to mayber tapper yourself off the pumping and see how it goes.

Good Luck

Diane

for replying, Margaret and Diane... I was thinking my situation was rare. It's good to know I won't lose much by not pumping at work - he's still not doing the milk in either bottle or cup, so maybe he's trying to tell me something.

I really like the new format of the site - are you responsible for that, Margaret? :)

I think your supply will change to fit the needs of your baby. I quit pumping when I was working ft with my first dd at 11 months. However I did go home and nurse her at lunch. But my milk never dried up, but it was a concern of mine as well (drying up) if I didn't pump. I now am part time and am still pumping on my working days, dd2 is 12 months old. I would be confident in your body...oh and you can find a soapmaking mama to make you mom's milk soap with your pumped milk...just an idea :)

And that's a great idea about the soap - if it keeps stockpiling I may go that route. I know you can bake with it, too... It's only 4-5 ounces, but that adds up and I really don't like the thought of tossing it.

I really like the new format of the site - are you responsible for that, Margaret? :)
Nope, it's all Amity - she's a wonder!

I find pumping to be a PITB so kudos to you for pumping for so long. That's really wonderful. I have no advice except that if you have extra milk, you could probably find a mom to donate it to through LLL, if you're comfortable with that.