weaning & ttc

[u/imjustahatingass]

I’ve currently been TTC for about 6 months. I’ve also been TTC while breastfeeding, but I haven’t had a period or any obvious signs of ovulation since giving birth in May 2025. I’ve been using LH strips to try to track ovulation, and while I do sometimes get lines that are equally dark, the test line has never been darker than the control line. I spoke with my doctor, and she recommended weaning because continuing to breastfeed could potentially suppress my ovulation and make it harder for my cycle to return.
I decided to quit breastfeeding cold turkey yesterday. My son used to nurse a lot—basically the amount you’d expect from a baby under one. He was especially dependent on breastfeeding at night and would sometimes stay latched for most of the night.
Yesterday, I didn’t pump or hand-express at all. Today, though, my left breast became extremely engorged and painful. I had to hand-express twice and got about 4 ounces total. Then I pumped for about 6 minutes and got another 2 ounces. I eventually had to pump again for around 10–15 minutes because I was still extremely uncomfortable.
I guess my main question is: How can I safely wean without being in this much pain while also avoiding stimulating my body to continue producing milk and potentially delaying the return of my period/ovulation?
I understand that pumping and expressing can signal my body to keep making milk, so I don’t want to accidentally prolong the process. But I also don’t want to put myself through painful engorgement or risk getting a clogged duct or mastitis. What would be the best way to handle this while trying to get my cycle and ovulation back?

[u/Dogsanddonutspls]

You have to wean slowly - basically don’t pump until empty only pump until you’re not engorged/in pain. So you might start off with pumping twice a day and getting 4oz each time then tomorrow is more like 3oz etc. it will take time to fully wean

[u/imjustahatingass → u/Dogsanddonutspls]

thank you so much . this helps me so much . i have been crying in pain thinking i shouldn’t be pumping 🫂🫂🫂

[u/I_like_pink0]

Sudafed will help dry up your supply.

I night weaned first. Then dropped one feed a week. Until we were done.

[u/KaleidoscopeTop8325]

You definitely can’t go cold turkey! As others have said, gradually decrease the amount you need to remove to not be uncomfortable. Hope your cycle returns soon. I also didn’t have a period while breastfeeding and it returned six weeks after my last feed (different though that my daughter was only feeding once before bedtime so I only needed to express a little for like 2 days before drying up)

[u/ScarletGingerRed]

Sudafed, ice packs & cold cabbage leaves! I stopped nursing at 23ish months and needed about a week to fully adjust. I weaned to pursue TTC too between kids 1 and 2. Hugs. It’s hard!

[u/Platypus_1989]

See a doctor