Weaning:Should you express milk while weaning?

ON Jan 1, 1999 at 12:00PM

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I have started to wean my eight month old. I work a 12-hour night shift in labor and delivery. Should I pump at least one time at work or only express my milk if I'm uncomfortable?

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Debbi Donovan

Debbi Donovan is a Board Certified Lactation Consultant, as well as a retired La Leche League Leader. For more than a decade, Debbi... Read more

When you are actively in the process of weaning, I would not recommend pumping your milk, unless you plan to save your expressed milk and offer it to your baby.

I am assuming you are weaning from feeds that will take place during the time you are at work. If this is the case, I would recommend expressing only enough milk for comfort while at work. This may be only a couple of drops, or more.

While weaning, it would be wise to wear a comfortable, supportive bra (perhaps a sports bra) with nursing pads (to help protect your clothing from possible leakage.) Best wishes!

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