This post is about how to wean from pumping schedule for the exclusively pumping mom.
The most breastmilk that I ever pumped during my exclusively pumping journey was 45 ounces of breastmilk in one day.
Not only that, but the most I had ever gone without pumping was 8 hours, which was me trying to get a full night’s sleep. This resulted in a 16 oz pumping session when I woke up. But that only came with a clogged milk duct, which eventually became mastitis.
That was the first and last time I ever pumped 16 oz in one sitting and went 8 hours without pumping.
How to Wean From Pumping Schedule
After my experience of mastitis after not pumping for 8 hours, I began questioning how and when I would be able to wean.
I had heard of cabbage to help you with engorgement, but as a first time mom, I did not understand how I could completely wean myself from the pump.
I searched high and low to find a weaning pumping schedule that will help me wean the pump and not get mastitis for a third time in 12 months (yup, I got mastitis a second time when I, yet again, chose sleep over pumping).
In this article, you will find two wean from pumping schedule, one accelerated and one slowly.
How Do I Prevent Mastitis When Weaning?
The key to preventing mastitis when weaning from pumping is to take it slow.
Yes, that’s broad, so let me elaborate. When talking about taking it slow, it means that it will probably take two weeks if you want to be careful. If you really really want to be careful (like I was), you can take up to 1-3 months of slowly weaning.
Mastitis happens when there is an infection caused by, according to the American Cancer Society, “a clogged milk duct that doesn’t let milk fully drain from the breast.” Source
When women are trying to wean from pumping and/or breastfeeding, the milk typically stays in the breast for extended periods of time. The breasts are not used to this and it therefore causes a clogged milk duct, which can result in an infection, which then turns into mastitis.
For this reason, we have to slowly get the breasts used to going for longer periods of time without pumping/breastfeeding.
How to Wean From Pumping Schedule
When it comes to weaning from pumping, unfortunately, you can’t rush it unless you are willing to risk getting mastitis or a clogged milk duct.
For this reason, it is recommended to take your time weaning.
Below are two schedules for you to choose from: 2 Week and 6 Week Schedules.
DISCLAIMER
These weaning schedules are under the assumption that you were pumping about as much as your baby was eating during the day aka a day’s worth feedings (25oz-40oz/day).
Wean From Pumping 2 Week Schedule
Week 1
- Days 1-3: Pump 3 less minutes on every pumping session (Ex. You pump 30 minutes 5 times a day. Now you will pump 27 minutes 5 times a day for 3 days)
- Days 4 and 5: Pump 5 less minutes on every pumping session (Ex. You pump 27 minutes 5 times a day. Now you will pump 22 minutes 5 times a day for 2 days) and you will shorten the amount of time between two pump sessions by 2 hours (Ex. You pump at 8am, 12pm, 4pm, 8pm, 2am. You will now pump at 8am, 10am, 4pm, 8pm, 2am)
- Days 6 and 7: Pump 5 less minutes on every pumping session (Ex. You pump 22 minutes 5 times a day. Now you will pump 17 minutes per pumping session for 2 days) and you will drop a pumping session (Ex. You pump at 8am, 10am, 4pm, 8pm, 2am. You will now pump at 8am, 4pm, 8pm, 2am)
Week 2
- Days 8 and 9: Pump 2 less minutes on every pumping session (Ex. You pump 17 minutes 4 times a day. Now you will pump 15 minutes 4 times a day for 2 days) and you will shorten the amount of time between two pumps by 2 hours for two pumping sessions. (Ex. You pump at 8am, 4pm, 8pm, 2am. You will now pump at 8am, 4pm, 6pm, 12am)
- Days 10 and 11: Pump 3 less minutes on every pumping session (Ex. You pump 15 minutes 4 times a day. Now you will pump 12 minutes 4 times a day for 2 days) and you will drop one pumping session. (Ex. You pump at 8am, 4pm, 6pm, 12am. Now you will pump at 8am, 6pm, 12am for 12 minutes each session)
- Day 12: You will drop one pumping session on Day 12. You need to drop the pumping session where there is less time in between and adjust the timing accordingly. (Ex. You pump at 8am, 6pm, 12am. Now you will pump at 8am and 8pm for 12 minutes each session)
- Day 13: You will lengthen the time in between pumps as much as you can or until you hit 16 hours, then pump until you feel relief, this could be 5 minutes, 10 minutes. (Ex. You pump at 8am and 8pm. Now you will pump at, for example 8am and 11pm until you feel relief each session)
- Day 14: You will lengthen the time in between pumps as much as you can, then pump until you feel relief, this could be 5 minutes, 10 minutes.
Wean From Pumping 6 Week Schedule
Week 1
Reduce each pumping session by 5 minutes.
Example 1: You pump 30 minutes 5 times a day. Now you will pump 25 minutes 5 times a day for one week)
Week 2
Reduce each pumping session by 5 more minutes. and slowly shorten the time between pumps by 2 hours (we are getting ready to drop a pump).
Example 1: You pump 25 minutes 5 times a day. Now you will pump 20 minutes 5 times a day for one week)
Example 2: You pump at 8am, 12pm, 4pm, 8pm, 2am. You will now pump at 8am, 10am, 4pm, 8pm, 2am)
Week 3
Slowly shorten the time between pumps and drop a pump; Reduce each pumping session by 3 more minutes; pump 17 minutes per pumping session 4 times a day)
Example 1: You pump 20 minutes 5 times a day. Now you will pump 17 minutes 4 times a day for one week)
Example 2: You pump at 8am, 4pm, 8pm, 2am. You will now pump at 8am, 4pm, 10pm, 2am.
Week 4
Slowly shorten the time between pumps and drop a pump.
Example 1: Now you will continue to pump 17 minutes 4 times a day for one week.
Example 2: You pump at 8am, 4pm, 8pm, 2am. You will now pump at 8am, 4pm, 10pm.
Week 5
Slowly shorten the time between pumps and drop a pump.
Example 1: Now you will continue to pump 15 minutes 2 times a day for one week)
Example 2: You pump at 8am, 4pm, 10pm. You will now pump at 8am and 8pm.
Week 6
You will lengthen the time in between pumps as much as you can, then pump until you feel relief, this could be 5 minutes, 10 minutes.
How to Wean From Pumping Schedule
Whether you are choosing to wean from the pump slowly or slightly faster, do what works best for you and your pumping journey timeline.
I must admit that I had over 1k ounces of frozen breastmilk, which is why I was comfortable starting to wean from pumping two months before my daughter turned one year old (which is when it is acceptable to switch from breastmilk/formula).
This is what worked for me, but you need to find which timeframe is best and how you can achieve your goal of weaning from pumping without getting mastitis in the process.
I recommend reading Fixing Postpartum Hormone Imbalance After Childbirth & Breastfeeding next as you end this chapter of motherhood.
P.S. If you would like to know how to follow your child’s lead through play, read on play schemas and how you can identify them in your child to help them develop: What are Toddler Play Schemas and Why Do They Matter?
Other Breast Pumping Posts:
- Best Portable Breast Pumps
- How to Organize Breast Pump Parts
- How Much Does Milk Supply Decrease During Period
- What is a Breast Milk Brick and Why Should You Make Them
- Exclusively Pumping Tips I Learned After 12 months of Exclusively Pumping
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