is it worth pumping to give a toddler 2 oz of milk a day?

[caedmyn]

I am newly pregnant and have a 15 month old DS. I'm sure my milk will be gone in a couple of months, so I was thinking about pumping every morning and freezing the milk so I can give DS a little milk every day once mine dries up. But I pumped this morning after not nursing on that side since 9 pm the night before and only got 2.5 oz. I was hoping to get 5 or 6. I really detest pumping. Think it's worth the hassle of pumping every morning for a couple of months so DS can have 2 oz of milk a day for two extra months? I feel badly about him not getting BM for 2 full years, otherwise I wouldn't even consider doing it.

[Katie T]

That's such a personal choice. If you really want to you can, but don't feel guilty if you just really don't feel like doing it. You have nursed him for over a year, that is great! Congrats on you pregnancy!

[pbjmama]

I don't like pumping so I probably would not do it. You may keep some supply through pregnancy, I did until my colostrum came in.

[Emily's Mama]

I don't know how to quantify the physical health benefits of 2 oz per day, but if you mentally and emotionally feel better from pumping the milk for him, then go for it!

I exclusively pumped for my DD1 til about 16 months old, at the end only giving her a full bottle every 2-3 days for the last few months. I didn't want to "give in" and give up though, so I feel it was more for my benefit than for hers. But I'm glad I did keep it up. (But having said that, not pumping anymore was also a real relief!)

[caedmyn]

I think I've given up...the 5th or so day I did it I only got 1/2 oz, and I gave it to him in a cup, and he wouldn't drink it. He took a sip a couple of times and then spit it out, and then dumped the rest onto the tray of his high chair and played with it. So I guess there's no point in pumping if he's not going to drink it anyways.

[redvlagrl]

This might be too late, but I am 32 weeks pregnant and am still nursing DD (17mths) and I intend to tandem nurse. My milk has stuck around the whole pregnancy so far, though it did turn to colostrum for a while and then it turned back to milk (!). I would just keep on going and not bother pumping (becuase pumping is such a pain for me too).

[caedmyn]

I don't know if I want my milk to stick around...then I have to avoid all of DS' food intolerances the whole pregnancy plus more likely than not deal with a new set of food restrictions once baby comes. It'd be nice to be able to eat whatever I want to eat for a few months at least. I'm not sure about tandem nursing either. I know DH won't be on board with it plus with DS' personality I think there would be a LOT of tantrums when he doesn't get to nurse as long as he likes...or as often as he likes...or whatever. I don't know if I want to deal with that along with a new baby. We'll see what happens I guess, assuming this is even a sticky baby.

[Ruthla]

I continued to nurse DD1 when I was pg with DD2, but I doubt I would have pumped for her if she wasn't nursing directly. Nursing her while pg was about maintaining the nursing relationship, not about providing her with milk. In my situation, nursing while pg and tandem nursing was my way of remembering that I had two babies, not a baby and a "big kid". I found it to be a wonderful way of maintaining a connection with my older baby, and I think it brought the two of them closer as well. There wasn't any "new baby jealousy" after DD2 was born. Of course, you're not me and your toddler isn't my DD1, and you need to do what works for your family.

2oz per day isn't much nutritionally; the child still needs other foods and other milks in his or her diet. It may be worth it for the immunological benefits if you have a medically fragile child- but it's probably not worth it for a healthy toddler, especially since you'll likely be able to pump much higher quantities, much more easily, once the baby is born.

Also, if you're worried about having a miscarriage, it might make medical sense to stop lactating right now.

[caedmyn]

I don't have any medical reasons to stop, I just wonder if the miscarriage I had between my two kids when I was nursing my DD was related to nursing. I know most women can nurse during pregnancy without problems, but I have always wondered since then if maybe I am not one of them.

DS will be 23 months when the baby comes...I think he will be very clingy then as he is a high-needs child. I am not sure if him wanting to nurse 50 times a day would improve the situation with a new sibling or not! Maybe he'll mature enough by then that he won't want to nurse so frequently.