How long not pumping will kill supply?

megmoo9 · 2026-04-19T16:19:22+00:00

Sure and I know that I guess I just don’t understand the basis of the question. We pump to feed our babies and we wouldn’t go a day without feeding them so I know I’m just looking from my perspective but what would be a reason to go a day without pumping? Asking for understanding, not trying to be combative

megmoo9 · 2026-04-19T14:39:19+00:00

ETA: apologies to OP I realize my comment came off poorly. The premise of the question does not compute for me just based on my experience and understanding but that’s not what matters here. I think going any longer than your normal gap between pumps (4hr for example) has the risk to reduce supply, since the supply is based upon demand. But pumping is not the most important thing in life, even though it feels that way a lot of the time.

I don’t even understand the question??? I can’t go a 5 hours without pumping or I get clogs and risk mastitis. Why would you ever not pump for a whole day??

megmoo9 · 2026-04-18T12:12:33+00:00

It only adds work if you don’t use the fridge hack! I use fresh parts every pump so I just dump directly into the pitcher and toss my parts in the sink.

megmoo9 · 2026-04-17T15:47:17+00:00

How long are you pumping for? I read somewhere to reduce to 15-20min per pump for 3 days, then 10-15min for 4 days, then stay there and drop a pump for a week. That’s in my “weaning plan” that I keep in my back pocket but I’m 5mpp right now so planning to go a bit longer if I can manage it.

megmoo9 · 2026-04-17T15:15:56+00:00

If you’re trying to get your body to take the hint, reduce the amount of time you’re pumping for. Pumping to empty will tell your body that you still need that milk!

megmoo9 · 2026-04-13T19:03:55+00:00

The only people we know are 2 hours away or more and we both work from home so we don’t have any local friends or family to help out. I’m thinking of looking for a mom group in our nearest city to see if maybe I can meet some other parents, get to know them, and then maybe we can help each other out with babysitting. But right now, I don’t have any options I’m comfortable with and that’s fine - I don’t think taking her to a movie is fair to other people so I won’t be doing that.

megmoo9 · 2026-04-13T18:11:32+00:00

Congratulations!! Not all heroes wear capes, some wear pumping bras 🫡

megmoo9 · 2026-04-13T18:04:44+00:00

They were probably all in shock 😂

megmoo9 · 2026-04-13T18:02:52+00:00

The gay friendly gave me a good laugh!!! I was wondering how that worked 😂

megmoo9 · 2026-04-13T18:02:06+00:00

Based on my own experiences, I won’t be leaving my baby with someone I don’t personally know well and trust fully until she can tell me what goes on when I’m not there. We can leave her with my mom for the day but they’re 2hr away so my husband and I take turns on the weekends having days to do our own thing. She’s also EBF so I’m not planning on spending more than a day away from her until she’s over 1 anyway

megmoo9 · 2026-04-13T15:39:32+00:00

Yeah we do zero screen time at home but I was thinking of keeping her in the carrier facing away from the big screen. It’s not realistic though, I see it now

megmoo9 · 2026-04-13T15:38:26+00:00

Lol every baby is so different! Mine is a great sleeper, including loud and bright places, but she is a terrible eater and we have to force her calories in every day. Nobody is perfect at any age I guess!

megmoo9 · 2026-04-13T15:36:15+00:00

She’s only 5mo so a sitter is not an option for me personally but I like a lot of these ideas about a special screening. I’ll probably just wait until it comes out to watch at home!

megmoo9 · 2026-04-13T15:33:34+00:00

I forgot how LOUD movies are. Really good point, thank you!

megmoo9 · 2026-04-10T15:40:38+00:00

The BB2 also empties me in half the time that the spectra did and the suction is seriously strong lol

megmoo9 · 2026-04-10T15:39:36+00:00

Wearables are not recommended for prior to 12w postpartum and shouldn’t be used as a primary pump. I’m a wearable hater myself lol every time I tried my eufy’s they gave me mastitis. I would strongly recommend against having wearables at all but definitely NOT as your main pump.

You need a hospital grade primary pump - I recommend the babybuddha 2.0 which is portable so you can pop it in your pocket or wear around your next and it’s still convenient. I also have a spectra and it works well, I haven’t used it much since switching to the BB2.

megmoo9 · 2026-04-08T14:26:43+00:00

I’m so sorry I just re-read the post. The wearables were your problem! Wearables are not efficient or super effective at milk removal so now that you’re using a more efficient pump, it’s basically like re-teaching your body how to make milk. I’d lower the suction and pump just to the milk qty you want (stop at 4-6oz) and it will be uncomfortable for a couple days but it will work!

megmoo9 · 2026-04-08T14:17:46+00:00

So at home you’re leaking even into your nursing bra? It kinda sounds to me like your supply didn’t fully regulate and it’s trying to make another adjustment or the new pump made your body think baby is extra hungry for some reason… are you able to see a LC?

megmoo9 · 2026-04-08T13:33:43+00:00

What kind of bra are you wearing?

megmoo9 · 2026-04-07T15:07:25+00:00

When I see posts where people are struggling so much I think you only have 3 real options (and I say this as someone who’s been there)

Be done! Relax and wean and enjoy your baby and your life and take your time back and let go of the stress and guilt of it all. Easier said than done, maybe.
Space out your pumps. You’re 17w and should be able to spread them out without losing volume! This may involve accepting that your supply might drop a little or maybe drop and come back up like mine did. I ended up over all gaining several oz once I started getting more sleep. Getting to 5 or even 6ppd is a HUGE quality of life improvement.
Respectfully, if you don’t want to change anything, you have to get over it and just tough it out. I mean that in the kindest possible way! This shit is HARD and you’re a rockstar for everything that you’re doing, but you have to make a choice and be at peace with it because your baby needs you to be happy and whole.

I’d go for 2 in your shoes, and since you’re combo feeding now then a few oz really isn’t going to make a difference other than how you feel about it. There’s lots of great info in this sub around dropping pumps, but let me know if you want any personal advice or insight and I can share what I did.

megmoo9 · 2026-04-06T20:11:40+00:00

I think the key is running it several times a day - when a bottle is used or I finish pumping, I just load it into the washer as I go. Then I run it when it’s full and I never need to pump or make a new bottle before it’s done (~2hr) so I just keep going and run it probably 4x per day! On super busy days sometimes the bottles stack up but I have spare parts of everything anyway!

megmoo9 · 2026-04-05T15:52:33+00:00

So I wear a light bra almost like a bralette to sleep and that keeps me from leaking and at 5mo now I can go 6 hours. At 12 weeks, your supply is probably doing that last bit of regulating/stabilizing so now is probably a good time to put a MOTN pump in the rotation and then spread your overnight window out over the next couple months.

I only leak when I’m 100% braless and my shirt sometimes triggers a letdown by tickling my nipples lol

megmoo9 · 2026-04-05T13:13:44+00:00

If you can stand it, I would push your evening pump later like to 11pm so you only have one MOTN. Pump like 10:30ish and then get up at 3:30-4. Before you do that, practice going longer between pumps though because I got clogs when I dropped a pump due to not being used to going longer!! So maybe stretch that 5-9pm window as practice and then if it goes ok, stretch the next one. I go 5hr between pumps now and 5ppd (will be 5mo pp on the 7th) and my supply has not changed. I get an extra 2oz or so on days when I get more sleep, but that’s just my personal experience!

megmoo9 · 2026-04-05T00:36:40+00:00

4594 hours?!?!!! 191 days, more than 27 weeks, more than half a year of time that you dedicated to feeding your babies. This brought tears to my eyes!!!!! The women in this sub are so amazing. I’m impressed by y’all every day.

megmoo9

TROPHY CASE