The Nursing Baby - Q&A

Raji aks:
I am a nursing and working mom. I breastfed my daughter continuously for the first 3 months and returned back to work after the 3rd month. I pump at work and she eats breast milk from the bottle during the time I am at work. She is 6 months old now. I want to stop pumping at work. But I still want to nurse her during the nights and mornings. I am trying not to pump at work. But my breasts are engorged and paining at work. How do I avoid this? Is there a way to stop pumping during the daytime and nurse her during the nights and mornings?

Raji, if you've stopped pumping "cold turkey" you may want to pump again. Try just once a day, and just relieve the engorgement. Generally, your doctor can allow you to take ibuprofen for swelling and discomfort if you are in pain. Some women like to use the BLIS system to help with dripping and engorgement when they are weaning. It might be helpful for you if that is a problem.

I know some women who breastfeed fully outside of their work day and find that on Monday they simply have to pump some in order to be comfortable. It's very individual.

It's also related to the age of your baby, and if you find it uncomfortable now, it's not necessarily so that it will stay uncomfortable, it should get better.

Just try taking the weaning from the pump a bit more slowly to see if that helps.

I hope this is helpful for you! Happy Nursing!

These tips are not intended to be medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider if you have questions.

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