Breastfeeding/Pumping In the Night

Lexi,

I have two kids, my first I didn't do it as often and develope breast engorgement and slowly my milk supply started drying up. My second I wanted to to it for a year so I kept pumping every time I knew it was a feeding. So yes keep pumping and save it especially if you plan on doing it for a year. I only got to do it for 9 months because when he developed enough teeth he would bite me. My sister in law has a 5 month old and if he is sleeping she will just pump as well. Anyway good luck and congradulations.

It's fine if you don't pump. Your breasts adjust to what the baby needs and usually it takes about 3 days for them to adjust. So you may be engorged for a couple of days, but that's about it. Remember they adjust either way. So if he starts waking up again, they'll start making more milk during that period to meet his need. Also remember that there is ALWAYS milk :). So even if you didn't nurse for those 5 hours for 2 months straight and then he suddenly wakes up, you would still have milk for him. He might just have to work a little harder for a couple of days to get it to let down faster. But that's good work :).

Good for you for sticking with it and also making 1 year your goal!!! I nursed my 6 year old until she was 3 and am currently nursing a 2 year old.

First, congratulations on establishing an AWESOME feeding schedule! You are doing a great job, for sure.
As for waking up to pump, it's up to you, of course. I did not pump once my son slept through the night - or about 5/6 hrs. (which did not happen until about 3-4 months) and now I wish I did. I was able to nurse until he was about 9 months old and I feel like my supply would have been better maintained if I continued to pump more. So, if possible, I would try to pump at night whenever you can...for another month or so...depending on how long you are up to doing that. Even if it is every other night, it may help. I am not an expert, but I was told that the more stimulation you have, the more you produce. Plus, it will help you build up a good stored supply for whenever necessary.

Lexi, it should be OK to go for 5 hours without pumping, since the baby isn't waking up for it and apparently no longer needs it. Your body should adjust to his schedule beautifully, so that you make milk at exactly the times he's drinking it (e.g. every 5 hours at night, but every 2 hours during the day).

Because you've already been nursing for 2 months, your body has the routine down now. The most important thing is that he gets the total overall quantity he needs each day, so he may start taking more frequent feedings during the day, or he may start needing more milk at each feeding. It will work itself out, between your body and his. As he sucks for longer at each feed, you'll start making more (within a few days). He may get a little annoyed until your body catches up, but as long as he hasn't been diagnosed as failing to thrive or anything, it will be OK for a few days.

If you are really concerned, you could consult with a lactation consultant or your pediatrician. But I am a pediatric feeding therapist and also nursed my own two kids for 12+ months each. Hope this helps! E.

Lexi,

By two months your milk supply should be well established. Assuming you haven't had any issues with your supply, it is perfectly fine for you to get that well-deserved, probably much needed sleep, too! Kellymom.com is a great breastfeeding website; I referred to quite often when I was breastfeeding my little one. http://www.kellymom.com/bf/index.html.

It is absolutely wonderful that you are committed to BF your son for the first year. Good luck and enjoy this miraculous time with your baby.

A.

I was in your exact same position. I didn't pump at all and did not lose my milk supply. My son is now 9 months old and I still produce enough milk for him. What everyone including the pediatrician told me is that your body adjusts to your baby's feeding schedule. My only advice is to make sure you keep eating/ snacking every time you nurse. I noticed that helped me vs when I wasn't eating and drinking constantly.

I've breast fed my first and I'm still going with the second (he'll be 1 next week). My second son was sleeping 9-10 hrs a night at 2.5 months. I know, it's rare. I was worried but my doc said consider myself lucky. He was gaining weight...basically he was feeding like an older baby. Nursing effectively during the day to sleep all night.

With that said, I slept too. I did not wake to pump because the milk supply is based on the supply and demand theory. If your son is sleeping 5 hours straight consistently then he does not need the milk during that time so you do not need to pump during that time (that milk supply will shift into his morning feed.

The major times that you need to pump is when your son is getting milk from a bottle. For example, you want to go out with your husband and you leave your son with a caregiver....at the time he/she feeds him your milk in a bottle, you'll need to pump as close to that time as possible. I would take my pump and do it in the car. Or wait until I got home and pumped immediately.

If you want to stock your freezer with a good milk supply, you should pump after feedings. Start pumping after one feeding for a few days, them two feedings and so on as much as you need or want. This will increase your milk supply. If you don't pump at all, I havent pumped in months, your body will produce exactly what your baby needs, no more...no less.

Good luck

No there is no need. Your body will make as much or as little as the baby needs from day to day, hour to hour. If he skips feedings at night..the body will adjust to that and yet continue providing enough for every two hours during the day. Of course, co-sleeping ensures you don't have to concern yourself one way or the other.

I've gotta say--wow.. 2 months and 2.5 hours between! Mine never did that. They nursed every hour or all day for at least 6 months.

You may want to call Cindy with La Leche League ###-###-####

Hi Lexi! If you ever want to sleep yourself dont pump - Really though you do not need to pump, your body is an amazing thing and will regulate the milk production according to your babies needs . You may feel a little engorged the first couple of times you go that long but this will pass as your body adjusts. Enjoy the breastfeeding it is so special.

Congratulations on your new little boy. If he is sleeping, it is your chance to get some rest. Sleeping will help to keep up your milk supply. Your doing great!

I've nursed both my children for their first years and can tell you that it's perfectly fine for you to go five hours without nursing or pumping. Your body will adjust accordingly and you need not worry about making enough milk. At this point it is definitely more important for you to get the sleep. Good luck and take advantage of that long stretch of time. Five hours is really good for a two month old.

First of all Lexi, congratulations and good for you for deciding to breastfeed! For some it is easy, for others it is hard. For me I resorted to having to pump milk for my baby for a full year because I wanted her to have my milk but I encountered some problems. I did it hough- for an entire year and I am glad I did, but you have to do what is best for you.
I could give you advice, and believe me after pumping for a full year I could probably write a book on pumping milk! anyway... my suggeston would be for you to contact a lactation consutant. The one at West Boca Medical Center is AMAZING!! I think her name is M.. Just call and ask to speak with the lactation consultant. The one at Boca Community is Jackie and she's good too. If you have a Medela pump, contact the lactation consultant there too. BY the way, it is important to have the right pump, but a consultant can help you make sure you have it.
I know that for me, I did wake up 2 times at night while I was trying to get my supply to increase. I admit, I was a zombie but I felt that it was something I wanted to do. I then cut back to getting up only once and I did that after I had gotten my supply to where it needeed to be. I noticed my "best pump"- when I got the most milk was always between 4-5:00 am b/c that's when most hormone levels are highest- early in the morning.

Seriously, I do wish you the best of luck and enjoy every moment with your delicious baby!!
warmly,
A. M

No, you do not need to keep pumping if you don't want to, he is regulating himself and your body will make enough milk to continue nursing to satisfy what he needs! Good job mommy!!!

Hi, Lexi: First of all, I want to congratulate you on your beautiful baby and also in the great blessing of being able to nurse him. You will see there is nothing more rewarding, more fulfilling than to see how we can nurture and provide our children the perfect nutrition! I nursed all three of my girls (they're now 14, 13 & 6). I nursed the first one 7 months and then got pregnant and had to stop. Then, I nursed the other two for a whole year. In my "humble" opinion, it's totally not necessary to go through all that trouble. Just think how satisfied he must be that he's taking such long naps. Thank the Lord for that...it might not last too long! However, just for the sake of your peace of mind, go for it. You can't lose...You can always store that milk in the freezer for when you go out and find it uncomfortable to nurse him in public. May God strengthen you, give you wisdom beyond your years with every aspect of motherhood. In His service, S.

ENJOY your newfound sleep - your body will continue to adjust! Nursing is so great because you never have to wonder if you are giving your baby the right amount - it is completely up to demand (from your baby) and supply from your body. As long as you have adequate nutrition your body will continually adjust to what your baby needs - exactly. ie more fat/calorie dense milk in the beginning to less towards the end. Just keep up your fluid intake - especially water and other nutritious drinks, milk, juice, etc. Good Luck!

Hello Lexi,

I am 28 years old and have a 3yr old and 1yr old. I am also a Registered Nurse. I breastfed both of my children till they turned 1. My suggestion is STOP pumping and catch up on the few hours of sleep your newborn is allowing to get. Your body will naturally adjust to your babies eatting habits over the next week. I will also let you know that as your baby grows his feeding patterns will continue to change. The GREAT thing about breastfeeding is you don't have to do anything but continue to eat healthy and let your body to the rest.

Good Luck and God Bless you and your new baby,
T.

Lexi,
As other Moms have pointed out, either option will work. It depends on you. If you are awake and/or wish to stockpile your milk in the freezer for going back to work/a quick holiday with DH/a night out then pump. Having some frozen milk on hand will give you plenty of flexibility! (I managed a 4 day vacation with DH while grandma babysat when my DD was 4 months old and took the pump with me to Jamaica!)
If you have been missing your sleep, take advantage of the 5 hours and catch some sleep yourself. I have an 8 week old son and know that this is an important commodity - especially with two children!
Best wishes --- although I must say my son is the cutest boy ever, too LOL!

T.

Congrads, My little one is now 10 1/2 months old. I only pumped so daddy could feed but she didnt want anything but me so I stopped pumping. I'm still nursing and still have enough milk. I eat right, I drink a lot and I rest when she naps. I sometimes nap with her. Depends on what I'm doing that day. I wouldnt worry to much about it. Your milk will adjust to your babies feeding times.

sleep Lexi ,sleep!!!! ,your milk will be absolutely fine and abundant even is he slept for 8 hours.
as long as you have a good supply and he is having no trouble getting milk when he feeds,you have nothing at all to be worried about.
this advice is from my personal experience as well as a lactations therapists advice to me when my little girl was in the hospital( from birth until 2 and 1/2 months) and I was pumping continuously every three hours.
she assured when I was at home I could sleep through the night and pump ( in your case feed) in the morning and all would be well.And it was and still is!!Lehla is 2 now and I still breast feed mainly for her nap and at night,somedays ,now, I go for 9 or 10 hours without feeding her and still have plenty of milk when she needs it.
Congratuations on your beautiful child.
it is a true blessing
much love!

When I returned to work after my second, I was pumping every 3-4 hours. The week I returned my daughter started sleeping 5 hours during the night so I pumped depending on her demand and had ample supply. During the day I pumped every 4 hours. You can continue your way and freeze the milk for the future or reduce the pumping according to your little one's demand.

Hope this helps. Feel free to email me with quesitons.

Dear Lexi,

I breastfed two strong healthy boys (ages 7 and 2) and am currently breastfeeding one beautiful little girl. I have found that I am better served getting those precious few hours of sleep. Your body will produc as much milk as your baby needs. You will find that at times your baby will drink a lot and other times he will drink little. Your milk supply will keep up with his pace. Good luck! And, welcome to motherhood. It's a wonderful club.

J.

Hello, I didn't pump myself that often when my son was an infant. So cutting back on the pumping is fine!I used to pump 2-3 times a day and had ore then enough for night time feeding. I even added cereal to breast milk when he was about 6 months. My son is now a healthy, seldom sick young man of 20 yrs.old and a US Marine. Always trust your own judgment too! God bless you and your little angel from God!
Truly,
Kathy N.

Your body will naturally adjust to your sons schedule of feeding. If he is sleeping through, then don't worry about it. When he needs more milk, he will increase his feeding. This happens several times during the first year of life so don't be discouraged when he becomes intense and nurses way more often out of the blue. Good luck and enjoy every moment. Before you know it, your sweet little baby will be grown, and you will miss these lovely nursing days.

my sister went from pumping every 2 - 2.5 hrs, and now here baby is 7 months and she's down to b/f only twice a day, but she has ample milk - me on the other hand, I had a hard time b/f b/c I have a two year old also, so I pumped a lot instead, then it turned into just pumping and I used to miss pumping times b/c I went back to work, and my supply dried up fast - I was only able to do it for 3 months and that was with using Fenugreek. So, I guess you just have to judge how good your supply is to begin with. Does it seem like your supply has dropped since you have missed a couple feedings? IF not, I think you'll be okay. Just IMO! Good Luck!

I breastfed my first two daughters, the first until she weaned at 19 months, the second, she was well past 3years old AND I was 2 month pregnant with my 3rd child when I weaned my second daughter. The ultimate goal is to get our babies to begin sleeping through the night. Unless you have serious supply issues as I had with my 3rd child (I HAD to pump throughout the night), give yourself the sleep you need and deserve. Remember that breastfeeding is a relationship of supply and demand. If you are pumping but your baby isn't needing what you are pumping, your body will make more milk than your baby demands. Get some sleep. Your supply won't go anywhere unless your baby weans on her own.

I agree, unless you have supply issues, follow his cues and rest mama.