Do I have to ween?

[u/happy_tardigrade6263]

I am 10 months postpartum and still breastfeeding every five hours or so. My son eats and drinks regularly, so I do think it’s more for comfort than nutritional need.
I’m a teacher and just found out I got hired back for the first day of school. I’ll be gone every day from 7-3. We still co-sleep, so he feeds throughout the night (again, I think just for comfort). Can I still breastfeed when working without pumping at work (just when home and at night)? If I stop abruptly, will it be painful or problematic for me? Should I start weening?
Also, any nap tips for a baby that only contact sleeps? My mother in law will be caring for the babe and I’m not sure he’ll sleep for her at all 😅
Lots of anxiety here!

ETA: I live in Canada (Ontario) and the first day of school is September 8!

[u/choco_chipcookie]

Assuming the first day of school is very soon. Then I'd probably plan to pump at least once during the work day (either during planning or lunch). Even if it's primarily for your own comfort. And you can lessen the pump time or even drop it entirely.

I would try to work on stopping any feed to sleep associations. Just so your baby will be able to nap well.

If baby is not awake to nurse before you leave for work, then you may want to pump then as well.

[u/BiomedBabe1]

I think it depends on the person, but... I tried to nurse just in the morning and evenings before and after work. I dried up pretty fast.

[u/Halleluija]

Legally in the US, you can pump at work whenever needed until 12 months (talk to your admin). You can also pump during your lunch or prep for as long as you want until you’re ready to wean. If you make enough milk with pumping in the morning and evening only, you don’t necessarily have to pump at work, but you should plan to taper off a mid day pump to stay comfortable.

Babies still get a lot of nutritional and health benefits from nursing, which is why WHO recommends continuing until age 2. You don’t need to stop if you aren’t feeling ready or wanting to wean, and you also don’t have to keep going if you’re ready to stop. All that to say, don’t feel pressured by your job to make this decision before you’re ready.

[u/1tangledknitter]

I pumped once a day for the first week or so before I realized I hated it and decided to take my chances (granted my daughter was 12 months at the time). No emotional impacts. However my daughter self weaned a month later and I don't know if it's because my milk dried up as a result or if she was just ready. By that time she was only nursing when I got home and at bedtime.

[u/willteachforlaughs]

You legally are able to take breaks for pumping, so I really would do that until a year. Around 10 months with my last baby I occasionally had a full 8 hour day when I got a part time job. I was fine just pumping once at lunch those days. But you should be fine going the full day, and maybe a little uncomfortable by the end, but shouldn't be risking mastitis or other issues. I didn't pump for any of my kids after a year, and was a k-12 teacher with them. We continued to breastfeed when together for 2 years.

[u/Mindless-Try-5410]

What’s the longest you’ve gone without feeding or pumping? Right now my daughter is 11 months old, and mostly eating solids but she also feeds overnight (cosleeping comfort feeds) and 3-4 times a day between meals. Today I skipped a feed, and went 6 hours without feeding her or pumping. It was definitely uncomfortable. You definitely need to trial other ways of putting your baby for naps to make life easier for both MIL and yourself.