Breastfeeding and STTN

DD is starting to sleep longer at night. She isn't sleeping through the night every night, but she is shifting towards it. Two questions:

1) When she sleeps for many hours, 5, 6, 7, 8 hours, my breasts get very full. What do I do about this? I assume DD will be sleeping 8, 9, 10 hours at a time and I would love to be able to sleep too, but do I have to keep getting up every couple of hours to pump so I can avoid pain and discomfort? I hope not.

2) I don't sleep well and I get out of bed a lot. If I see DD in her crib in the middle of the night after 5 hours or more, and if she is awake or even just stirring loudly, I feed her. She isn't crying, but I figure she is hungry. And I am very full and in pain at that point, so I want her to feed. Is this ok? Am I creating a bad habit for her? Should I wait for her to cry out or is this a good thing to do?

TIA

Re: Breastfeeding and STTN

When DD started to sleep longer periods, I had the same issue with the fullness, but you just need to wait it out. It takes a few days, but your body will regulate the amount of milk that you produce. I used to wake up with rocks in my shirt and now I can fully function in the morning without the fear of an explosion. So no, do NOT PUMP to releve the engorgement. It will go away on it's own within a few days. And if you are looking for both you and your DC to STTN do not feed her unless she is asking for it. The longer you can let her go, the better. And although I don't think you are creating a bad habit for her just yet, if you continue, thenyes it may become habit. And like I said, it literally only takes a few days for your body to figure out that you don't need that much milk and the engorgement will get much better. I feed my DD for the last time at about 8pm and not again until around 7:30am and my boobs adjusted just fiine. And during the day I still have plenty to feed her. Our bodies are amazing things!!

Re: Breastfeeding and STTN

I will add that if you begin to feel pain PUMP for comfort. YOu do not want to get any breast infections. Your body can regulate after a few days. IF you want to pump to get a supply in the freezer that is a good time.

Re: Breastfeeding and STTN

May 8 week old has been giving me long stretches since about 4 weeks..

Usually he eats around 8- I try and wake him around 10-11 when I go to bed to top him off (usually doesnt work-he is out cold) so I pump...

He wakes around 4am- eats for maybe 5 min on one side- so he doesnt even empty my breast- he takes just enough to comfort him to go back to sleep...

we wake around 7- he nurses and then I pump- I get between 5-8oz at that time

I always pump right before bed, and after that first morning feeding- it helps ALOT!