Breast feeding moms - weaning question?

My daughter is going to be 13 months old in a week and I've been reducing breast feedings. I have one in the early morning, one in the late afternoon and one before bed - and when my daughter wakes up at night I nurse her to sleep (I know it's not the best, but it gets her back to sleep in a wink and it comforts her from whatever made her wake up).

My question is - I've been experiencing breast discomfort because of the decreased feedings and I want to know:

1) Did you pump milk during the weaning process,

OR

2) Did you let your breasts feel the discomfort so they would naturally decrease their mild production?


****Note: She eats plenty of solid foods now, obviously, the breast milk just supplements her diet in many ways - immunity-wise, nutrition-wise, and just for bonding and comfort.

My son was weaned at 1 year 10 months. He started with decreased feedings at about your daughter's age and I did experience discomfort at first. My aproach was to pump wheneaver I felt my breasts uncomfortable. I only pumped enough to make them soft, but I did not leave them totally empty. Pumping too much can make you continue to produce milk or produce even more milk, so pump only enough to make you feel comfortable. I don't think you should leave your breast to feel full as they may engorge and lead to more trouble.
The following links may be helpful:
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/pa/pa_bwe...
http://parenting.ivillage.com/newborn/nb...
http://www.birthandbreastfeeding.com/wea...

By the way my son was also and avid night nurser at about 13 months but slowly started leaving night feeding at his own pace. There came a time when I realized he wasn't waking up to nurse anymore. GOOD LUCK!

I am allowing my daughter to self ween so for us it has been a very slow and gradual process. I have not experienced much discomfort. I did get itchy when she began cutting out feedings. I see nothing wrong with nursing to sleep. They grow up so fast treasure those moments. I have yet to meet the 10 yrld that still needs their mommy in order to fall asleep.
If you are in that much discomfort I would pump a little or try warm compresses.
Pumping is very different to your body then nursing so you will keep up a certain amount of supply however as you go longer and longer without nursing your supply will still continue to go down.

It's so weird. I have been breastfeeding my son for 8 months, he decided last week he was DONE. I don't pump because he gradually stopped feeding and decreased my supply so much that there isn't enough to pump. It's been over a week now and I haven't had any discomfort, YET. It's like my body just accepted the change. I wouldn't pump, that is just telling your body that more milk is needed. I'd say, just deal with the discomfort, I don't think it will last that long if she gradually weans.

We weaned very, very slowly, so I didn't experience much discomfort. When I did, I just let it be-and it didn't last too long. She weaned earlier than we wanted (9 months). By the end, it was only one or two feedings a day, so when she refused to nurse, my milk was so low I hardly noticed anyways. Is there a reason you're weaning? I've always been told it's easier if you let them self wean. If you do want to (and with all that you have going on, I can't say I blame you), I would take it slow. Let your body (and your daughter) adjust to this schedule. It may take a week or two. I would say cut out one feeding each week, until you're down to one. The night feeding will probably take the longest.

There are a few links below with more info and suggestions to help with your endeavors. Good luck!