need some advice

[Mindy88]

Alyssa and I started out on a rocky breastfeeding relationship. She did awesome the first 2 days in the hosptial, nearing the end of the second day she hit her first cluster feeding, and fed every 15mins for 7 hours. I was out of my mind with exhaustion and didn't always get her latched correctly which led to horribly sore nipples and me "giving up" and turning to pumping. I pumped like a mad woman so she'd get my breast milk and have been since she was 2 days old. On occasion in the first 2 weeks I'd attempt to latch her back on with no success she wanted NOTHING to do with the boob. Fastforward to 3 1/2 -4 weeks and I got her to start latching again, we worked on it and finally got a good latch. She's 6 weeks old today and I want to transition to mainly nursing her, NOW my question is, how do I stop pumping? because sometimes she'll only feed from one side which leaves the other engorged, should I just let it be and offer her that side first next time and let my body adjust to her needs or should I pump? I'm really not wanting to pump all the time after feeding her because that's why I wanted to get her nursing again in the first place, with 3 little boys to take care of it's very time consuming to pump every 2 hrs, feed her,change her, and take care of them and the house...

TLDR: How do I wean off pumping and just be able to nurse without killing my boobs in the process?

[corrinacs]

Hey,

My gut reaction would say just let it be as it is, if you plan to stay home with her for a good while.  ALthough, you may want to bank on taht for a few weeks to gain a supply just in case :).  But I would contact a LC before making a decision like that just to be sure you aredoing the right thing.  You don't want to accidentally make yourself dry up either!

[FLmommy0204]

I'd say pump or hand express just enough to relieve the engorgement.  Otherwise you are telling your body to keep making more.  Over time, your body will adjust to the new demands.

[Bethbeth]

 I'd cut back slowly on pumping. Leaving yourself too engorged will not only be painful but could lead to clogged ducts or an infection.

Great job getting her back on the boob! That is wonderful.