What do you do when baby starts STTN?

[twins+1]

My 11 wk old prefers now to go to bed for the night by 8:30/9pm and then doesn't nurse until 2-4am. and even then he only nurses on one side (i normally only nurse him on one side). Then he doesn't nurse again until morning like maybe 8:30am. So if I nurse on the right side at 8pm, left at 4am and then right at 8am that is a big span of time for the breasts to be emptied. I don't get engorged, but by the afternoon and evening I feel very unfull.
Should I be doing something to make sure my supply keeps up? Should I pump before I go to bed? Should I get up and pump at night on the other breast that he doesn't nurse from??
What do you mom's do???

[paulamc]

I'm not sure what other, more experienced mamas will recommend regarding keeping your supply up. Because my babe is very small, I'd probably pump before bed to get the extra milk to feed him the next day. I'd also try nursing both sides when he woke in the night. But if your babe is gaining well, and if your supply is well established, I tend to think it is probably not a problem. Your babe may simply nurse a bit more during the day, and your supply will adjust accordingly.

My babe is 10 months and has always nursed several times a night, sometimes as frequently as hourly (or more), sometimes every two hours, at times less. However, it seems like his sleep habits might be changing, fingers crossed!!!! Last night he only woke once from the time I went to bed until morning (granted he remained awake for an hour, talking to himself and rolling around ) and tonight it seems as if he might do the same, as he didn't wake when I went to bed like he usually does.

So here's what I did tonight, and you might consider doing the same if you're concerned about supply or if you are engorged. (Note we cosleep.) I just scootched up to him and got into nursing position. He immediately latched on and nursed. My breast is soft now, and it appears that he never so much as woke up!

Anyway, sounds like you've got a pretty nice sleep schedule going on! For now at least ... my little guy used to sleep pretty well until he hit his four month sleep regression. It's been a challenge since then.

[GoGoGirl]

I pump breastmilk to donate on milkshare, so I pump during my baby's longest stretch of sleep. I'm not sure what I would do if I wasn't pumping to donate...my baby doesn't need any of the pumped milk herself.

I can also get my baby to breastfeed while she's sleeping. I just lay next to her, tickle her mouth with my nipple, and she usually latches on. Maybe you can try nursing the baby to sleep with side A, then offer side B before you go to sleep, and back to side A when the baby nurses at 4? At least then one boob wouldn't have to wait 12 hours!

[greenmansions]

With your baby still so young, I'd try to figure out a way to get another nursing in on the "other" side, or else pump. I lost supply under similar circumstances and had a heck of a time trying to get it back. Once they're older, IMO closer to 6 months or so, I think it's safer to go a longer time.

[lifeguard]

On nights like you're describing I pump the unnursed side to feeze. We don't need the extra bm often but when we do it's really nice to have plenty ready.

[mamazee]

My dd slept 5 hours or more right from the start and was sleeping through the night by 11 weeks, and I never pumped or anything, and I was fine. How was your supply last time? If you have reason to think you'll have supply problems, I would either wake him to nurse at some time or pump or something. But I had oversupply with #1 so I wasn't worried about that, personally, and sure enough I haven't had any supply problems. I don't feel as full as I did with #1, and often don't feel full at all, but #2 has always gained weight very well and is every bit as chubby and healthy as #1. Not feeling full doesn't necessarily mean there isn't milk. I guess I personally would at least consider getting a good night's sleep, unless you have reason to believe there actually will be supply problems. Your body will adjust to making the right amount of milk for your baby and can adjust to a baby who STTN.

[tschifo]

My 8 month old is sort of doing the same thing and I've just adapted to it. I wouldn't worry about pumping if your freezer stash is adequate.

Currently, I have about 8 bags of frozen milk. It seems adequate for right now.

[*jacksmama*]

DD just started doing this. I didn't pump at all for a few nights and was in a ton of pain the next day with engorgement. Last night I pumped on the unnursed side before I went to bed and that helped tremendously. DS, 3 yo now, always BF'd on both sides, but DD, 8 weeks, only BF's on 1. If I were building a stash, I would probably always pump on the unnursed side.I should also mnention that my rignht side produces twice as much milk as my left so I factor that into what side I pump/BF on at night.

Erin