The Dangers of Stopping Pumping Cold Turkey

Every moms breastfeeding journey is different. Some exclusively nurse, others solely pump, some do a combo of the two, and others mix in .

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that you should breastfeed your baby for at least six months, but there is no right time to stop. But don’t stop pumping all of a sudden when you’re ready to be done if you plan to use a pump. Instead of abruptly ending, its better to gradually stop pumping. Here’s how to wean off pumping for a smoother (and safer) transition for both you and your baby.

I recently made the difficult decision to stop pumping breastmilk for my baby. As a working mom, pumping was becoming stressful and limiting. I was eager to gain back some freedom in my schedule. However, I knew that stopping pumping cold turkey could be risky and painful. Through my research, I learned that abruptly quitting pumping can lead to problems like engorgement, mastitis, and discomfort for baby. That’s why it’s essential to wean gradually when stopping pumping.

What Does It Mean to Stop Pumping Cold Turkey?

Stopping pumping cold turkey refers to suddenly and completely stopping all breast pumping sessions. For example, a mom who has been exclusively pumping for 6 months may decide one day that she is done. She stops pumping altogether, without slowly decreasing pumping sessions over days or weeks.

Some moms may stop cold turkey because they feel overwhelmed and just want to be finished with pumping. Others might not realize they should wean gradually. Quitting cold turkey seems like the quickest and easiest way to reach their goal of quitting pumping.

Why Stopping Pumping Cold Turkey Can Be Problematic

While it may be tempting to stop pumping abruptly doing so can lead to issues like

Engorgement – When milk is not removed regularly, it builds up and causes breast engorgement. The breasts become swollen, hard, and painful. Engorgement can happen within a day or two of quitting pumping cold turkey.
Mastitis – Engorgement can sometimes lead to mastitis, which is inflammation of the breast tissue Symptoms include breast tenderness, redness, warmth, and flu-like fever/chills Mastitis requires antibiotic treatment.
Decreased milk supply – Abrupt weaning may signal the body to produce less milk faster. This can be problematic if mom wants to continue nursing her baby at the breast.
Discomfort for baby – Babies can become fussy and struggle to nurse with engorged breasts. Rapid weaning may also lead to teething pain if baby was comforted by nursing.
Emotional impact – Stopping pumping abruptly can be difficult emotionally on mom and baby. Gradual weaning allows them to adjust.

Best Practice: Wean Gradually

The best way to stop pumping is to do it slowly over days or weeks:

Decrease pumping time by 2-5 minutes each session until sessions are only 5-10 minutes.
Cut out one pumping session every few days.
Try dropping the overnight or midday session first
Eventually get to just 1-2 sessions per day before stopping.

Moms can also use cold compresses, pain relievers, gentle massage, and nursing pads during the weaning process to stay comfortable. It takes patience, but gradual weaning prevents engorgement and milk supply issues.

Tips for Weaning a Younger Baby vs. an Older Baby

The weaning strategy may differ depending on your baby’s age:

For a younger baby:

If under 12 months, replace pumped milk with formula or previously frozen breastmilk.
Avoid bottles if baby is over 12 months old. Use a cup instead.

For an older baby:

If over 12 months, switch to whole cow’s milk with meals.
Offer water in a cup throughout the day.
Baby should drink about 2-3 cups of milk per day after age one.

What If I Already Stopped Pumping Cold Turkey?

If you’ve made the mistake of quitting pumping abruptly, don’t panic. Take these steps to relieve engorgement and discomfort:

Express just enough milk to relieve pressure by hand or pump. Avoid full pumping sessions.
Use cold compresses on breasts to reduce swelling.
Take over-the-counter pain meds if approved by your doctor.
Wear a supportive bra that isn’t too tight.
Get plenty of rest and stay hydrated.

Be alert for any signs of mastitis like fever, flu symptoms, or hard, red areas on the breast. Seek medical treatment if mastitis develops.

Lessons Learned on Stopping Pumping

I learned the hard way that quitting pumping cold turkey has consequences. Thankfully, I was able to reverse course by hand expressing for comfort and using cold compresses. My supply dried up within a few days without getting infected. However, it was a painful warning that weaning requires patience! I wish I had decreased my pumping sessions gradually over a two week period. It would have spared me a lot of discomfort. For any mom ready to stop pumping, I advise taking it slow. Do what’s best for both your body and your baby.

stopped pumping cold turkey

Sign #7 You want to get pregnant

A common reason that moms want to stop pumping is to encourage their fertility. You can still get pregnant while breastfeeding (even if you haven’t had your period yet), but it can stop you from ovulating.

How do you handle clogged ducts while weaning off pumping?

Should you decide to stop pumping too quickly instead of slowly, you might end up getting engorged. This happens when your breast doesn’t drain properly [ ] and swells with extra milk. You can get engorged if you don’t empty your breasts enough during sessions or if you suddenly wait too long between sessions. Not only can engorgement be painful, but also it can lead to clogged milk ducts.

If you develop clogged or plugged ducts [ ], that means milk can’t properly flow. Instead, milk gets backed up and can lead to discomfort and possibly infection. If you develop clogged ducts while weaning off pumping, you may notice:

Breast pain
One or more hard, tender lumps in your breast
A milk bleb
Nipple bleeding while pumping

To unclog a blocked milk duct [ ], you want to avoid heat and instead:

Ice before and after pumping
Do not rub your breasts hard or try to drain them all out, as this can make them swell more and make you produce more milk.
Try lymphatic drainage [ ]
You should talk to your doctor before taking sunflower lecithin.
Take ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen to help with swelling
Giving your breast a break without massaging it too much is called breast rest. If possible, temporarily breastfeed directly instead of pumping. But if you only pump, don’t try to empty your breast all the way. Instead, pump just what your baby needs.
Stay away from tight bras or clothing

If you start to feel sick or develop a fever, you may have mastitis. Consult your doctor or lactation consultant if this is the case to determine the best course of action.

WEANING COLD TURKEY! | Stopping Breastfeeding | What to Expect

FAQ

What happens if I quit pumping cold turkey?

There are some things you can try to help reduce your supply quickly (mint, Sage, Sudafed, etc) but just stopping pumping cold turkey can risk causing clogged ducts leading to another mastitis infection if your production is still pretty strong.

What are the side effects of stopping pumping?

It’s normal to feel nostalgic for the little baby your baby once was. What’s more, when you wean, your body stops producing the feel-good hormones of oxytocin and prolactin. For some parents — especially if those who wean abruptly — this can increase feelings of moodiness, irritability, and sadness.

How long after you stop pumping does milk dry up?

Some women’s breast milk supply dries up in a few days. Others will still express a few drops of milk months later. Most women who have breastfed or pumped and begin to wean will see their milk supply drop in two to three weeks, though this can vary depending on your baby’s age and the amount of milk you were making.

What happens to your hormones when you stop pumping?

As breastfeeding ends, both prolactin and oxytocin levels will lower – and so may your mood and sense of wellbeing. It may last a few days, or it may go on for longer.