Breastfeeding in the Middle of the Night

Updated on April 08, 2008
P.L. asks from Manhattan Beach, CA
8 answers

I'm currently trying to get my 7 week old to sleep longer through the night. On a good night, she'll go 5 hours before waking up, wanting to feed. My problem is - my breasts start feeling engorged about 3-4 hours into the night. Any suggestions? I don't want to wake up the baby to feed, and the thought of waking up to pump isn't appealing, as the whole purpose of this is so that I'll be able to get more sleep! Will my lactation eventually adjust? Thanks in advance!

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L.M.

answers from Las Vegas on

I am going through the same thing with my 5 week old. You milk will adjust after a few days. Don't worry and get as much sleep as you can. Good luck
L.

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S.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi P.,
I also have a 7 week old girl. I was so happy because last night was the first night she slept for 5 hours. Mostly she is up every 2-3. Sorry I'm a new mom and don't have any advice. I'm just new to mamsource and it's great to hear what others are going through (I'm not meaning it's great to be engorged because that doesn't feel good). I've just been learning so much from other moms. Good luck with your little one.

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J.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

My son is 2 & 3months and feeds every 2 to 3 hours at night once in a great while will he sleep straight threw. I've not slept a straight night since I got pregnant. I am 44 yr. old and not a happy camper but this is the last time I will ever breastfeed in my life so I'm going with it. Hang in there.
J.

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J.C.

answers from San Diego on

My son feeds for about two-three hours straight before going to sleep. But then again he sleeps for almost 7-9 hours straight on most nights. My suggestion would be to pump before going to bed until you feel all soft and smooshy. At least you'll take a little longer to fill back up. Who said you got to sleep at only 7 weeks???? But have faith it does get better!

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B.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

It WILL adjust to your schedule, but you need to be careful that your milk doesn't go down, so as long as your baby is feeding the same qauantities, you will be ok.

If you pump, you will just be telling them to produce more each night

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

If you keep on doing what you are doing, your milk will adjust to what your baby is drinking and you won't feel engorged.

Congrats on your new baby!!
M.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

it may adjust, but the adjustment may be that your milk decreases. and who knows by how much.

i breastfed my son. it was easy to breastfeed at night because he was sleeping in the bed with us (until 4 mos). after he was in his own crib i would wake up and pump to ease the pain of engorgement.

i KNOW you want more sleep, but 5 hours is a good amount of time so consider yourself a bit lucky. my son was every 2-3 hours until he was around 2 mos.

rah

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi P., My son is 8 weeks and we just went through this last week with him. He started sleeping 5-6 hours and one night slept 8 hours straight and I was totally engorged. One night I woke up and filled two 4 ounce bottles off one breast with the pump because I couldn't sleep it hurt so bad.

But this week my supply is starting to finally regulate I think and I'm not getting engorged at night now. I bet yours will start to even out as the days go by. Hang in there, you're not alone!!

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