Weaning from 4 breasfeeds to 1

[Edesanja]

I have started weaning DS from 4 breastfeeds to just the morning one. I'm not sure how to go about relieving the engorgement though. When I weaned DD at a similar age I just removed 1 feed at a time so it wasn't a problem, but I can't do that this time.

This is the third day. The past two days I have just pumped in the evening but have felt really uncomfortable in the late afternoon/early evening (just no time to pump then!). I've also been waking in the night because I'm uncomfortable too but I have just waited for DS to wake and haven't pumped.

I am I doing this the right way? Do I just try and pump slightly less every evening? I'm slightly worried about getting an infection but also don't want to promote milk production.

[anna*]

Yes, only pump the bare minimum to feel comfortable. In the afternoon/evening if it's getting really uncomfortable you could hand express just a tiny bit into the bathroom sink or something?

[Edesanja]

I've been pumping quite a bit in the evening (like about 150ml total - but that's down from slightly more the previous two times) because I just can't imagine how uncomfortable I'll be in the night if I don't. But then I guess it will be a very slow process if I keep doing that much. I'll step it down tomorrow evening.

[anna*]

I'd try to do the minimum. If you're in agony in the night, again you can go and hand express the excess in the bathroom.

Sudafed/pseudoephedrine is a decongestant which can reduce milk supply. I know you don't want it to be going into your milk, but if you took one right after the morning BF, it would reduce your milk during the day and would be out of your system by morning. Sage, parsley, peppermint are natural galactocytes - you but you will need a lot (ie STRONG peppermint tea, and peppermint candies, maybe even a peppermint oil massage). Avoid oatmeal!