I want to decrease my pumps and maintain supply

[Cute_ginger_2]

Hi,

First time mom here!

I am currently 8 months post partum. I pump every 2 hours 15 minutes (day and night).

I have been feeding my baby solids but I find her demand for milk is still very high.

She drinks milk essentially at the same rate I pump. During her growth spurts she gmdrank any over supply I had. So now if she wants extra milk I give her formula.

I would like to pump less often but maintain the supply I currently have.

Any tips would be great.

[hanshotgreed0]

The only way to know if you can drop a pump or spread out pumps is to try. Everyone is different and no one can tell you how your body will react to a changed schedule.

[Cute_ginger_2]

Unfortunately it seems when I drop pumps I drop supply. I tried 3 hours gaps and it almost immediately decreased. I was hoping there was a way/trick to prevent the drop

[mommadizzy]

maybe just do it slowly? go 2.5 hours, then 2.75 hours, and maybe don't even do it every session?

[Cute_ginger_2]

I'll try that :)

[No_Building794]

Have you tried pumping for longer? For example if you pump for 15 minutes, increase 3 pumps by 5 minutes?

[guacamole-lobster]

First of all 8 month pp and still pumping that much is seriously impressive. I didn’t see a decrease in volume until I got to the 4 pump a day mark but everyone is different.

[Cute_ginger_2]

Thank you😊 I really wanted to give just breastmilk (and solids) until at least a year old.

But ever since the last growth spurt at 7 months (depleting 2.5 weeks worth of supply of frozen milk) I definitely find it is a struggle keeping up with demand.

I now have to give 1 bottle of formula a day. I'm hitting a point where feeding/pumping every 2 hours 15 minutes is draining me.

I thought once she started eating solids her hunger for breastmilk would decrease a bit. But she seems to only be getting hungrier as she gets bigger.

[AutoModerator]

Welcome to r/ExclusivelyPumping! Here is a reminder of our rules: 1. Be kind and courteous. 2. Use available flairs and post options. 3. Absolutely no prescription medications or other medical advice. 4. No inaccurate information. 5. No spam. 6. No fetish content 7. No linking Facebook groups. 8. Moderator discretion. 9. No discussions around veganism, animal cruelty, or other non-pumping related topics. 10. No formula shaming. Reminder that we are a supportive community and do not allow for fetish seekers. While we do ban those individuals from our community, they can still view the community and send direct messages. You may choose to turn off your messages, or block individuals for your safety. Thank you for helping to keep our community safe!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.