Decreased Pumping Sessions

My dd is no longer interested in nursing at all, except right before bed.  She used to wake up at night to nurse, but doesn't really do that anymore.  I am going to keep pumping, but wanted to know if fewer longer sessions would be just as good as more frequent shorter sessions.  It is hard keeping up with a 8 month old while you are attached to the pump :)  I would like to pump only while she is asleep or otherwise occupied, but don't really want my supply to go any lower than it already is.  

[mlb1234]

In my opinion fewer longer sessions are just as good as frequent shorter sessions as long as she is getting the recommended amounts per day (of course with bfing you never really know how much they are getting).  Your supply will adjust to the new schedule over time.  You can give her the pumped milk by sippy or regular cup or supplement with formula if you can't keep up with the pumping.  
I am in the same spot as you - with an 8 month dd and still bfing.  My dd still feeds overnight though and loves to nurse before any nap.  I do pump to add milk to her cereal but it is getting harder and harder to keep up.  My dh had to use formula a couple times when I forgot to pump before work - and she took it fine.  She is getting very busy now.  She loves the sippy and regular cups though so maybe she will wean herself before 1y!!  Good luck!

[mlb1234]

hey I just read that you recently weaned your baby from night feeds.  How awful was it??  I want to do this too but haven't had the heart to do it yet.  I feel the same, that now it is for comfort and just to cuddle a bit instead of real hunger (although dd is so used to eating in the middle of the night I don't doubt she is actually hungry at that time) but her doc said she will just eat more in the morning to compensate.    Now I feed her and she goes straight back to bed with no crying or anything.  Just a 15 minute blip in the middle of the night ( well twice actually, 2am and 5am).  Do you have any advice??  Did your dd try to nurse when you held her??  What did you do that worked??  My dd doesn't take a paci or suck her thumb so she really has no other comfort measures other than momma.  Any advice you have would be appreciated!  I am dreading this!

[meiram]

Well, it wasn't pretty the first couple of nights.  I didn't really want to let her CIO alone, so I just kept her in her crib and rubbed her back and sang softly to her.  After an hour of her drifting off to sleep for a few minutes and waking up crying, I gave in and nursed her. I just couldn't take it anymore.  She briefly nursed and then went right to sleep.  Every night following has gotten a little easier.  She still wakes up sometimes for a diaper change, but I am able to just hold her for a minute or two and put her back in her crib.  The good thing about this is dad can do it too :) Aliana doesn't take a paci either, so I know how it feels to be one.