I have decided that when Mariko is 9 months old I will be done pumping. Not starting to wean then, but done done (although I understand it takes a while to really be done and sometimes you have to pump a little once or twice even at the very end, although sometimes days apart).
I calculated that as of Sunday (two days ago) I have 11 weeks or 77 days left. I like 11 weeks, feels like a much more manageable time than 77 days however now that we are at Tuesday I'm down to 75. I am planning to start the weaning process (assuming I have enough in the freezer) when she turns 8 months old.
Right now I have about 1300 ounces and I need about 1800 to get her through the last three months or so. I don't think I'll be able to stop any sooner because that's just how long I'll need to get the last 500 ounces or so. Mom and I sat down and calculated that even at worst case scenario for me (only storing 10 ounces a day) and crazy eating scenario for Mariko (30 ounces a day - she usually eats about 26 or so now) that I should still be fine being done at 9 months. I figure that at the end I will be freezing a lot less of course but right now I'm freezing 16-20 ounces most days so I'm not worried.
From having read other blogs, people have said that they start to give up pumping and then sometimes change their minds, that they feel connected to the pump in some way and that they feel like they are giving up. Although I can see that, I will be so excited to be done. I will have free time in my day. I won't have to worry about when she is going to nap so that I can pump and won't have to worry about being out all day and should I take the pump with me or should I just go a long time? I won't have to worry about getting up in the night. Hopefully by then Mariko won't be either and we can all get some quality sleep! As it is right now, I don't ever get more than about 7 hours, as my body wakes me up once it's been 8 and once I get done pumping it takes me a while before I get to sleep so if I pump at 9, by 5 or so my body wakes me up. I will not miss it. I will not miss feeling like my life revolves around the pump. I know that I'm doing the best thing for Mariko by pumping but honestly, I wouldn't wish this on anyone. It is not fun. I am just grateful that I have produced enough milk that I can be done at 9 months and still get Mariko to a year. Hopefully this won't be an issue with other children because I don't want to do it again. I remember thinking before she was born how great it would be to pump because it would mean that Toshi could help in the night. Well, I'm glad he was able to but I wish it had been as I thought it would be! Hopefully the next time around everything will work as it should!
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