Should I pump?

[KarlaC]

DS is 12 weeks old tomorrow, our nursing has been going great for over a month up until today.

I'm not quite sure what's going on. No changes in diet & I drink plenty of water, limit caffeine, etc..

Last night ds slept almost 6 hours, me being tired didn't wake up either so I was pretty surprised. He didn't nurse as long as usual & did the same at his next feeding & slept for 3 hours until I woke him up. Usually he has one 4 hour stretch of sleep then up to eat every 2.

Today he's spluttering & choking then refusing the breast. It's really strange since he's always wanting to nurse to sleep but both his naps he took in his swing without any mom time

He's still wetting plenty too btw.

Should I pump to keep my supply up or ? I'm really baffled at him nursing so little suddenly & refusing to nurse to sleep..any ideas?

[phrogger]

Could he be getting sick? My son seems to be getting stuffy and my other boys are sick, and he is doing the same thing. I would pump if you have one.

[KarlaC]

He just got done being sick, strangely he nursed like a champ through all of it. The last 3 days he's been fine though :/

I have a pump, I think I'll start after his next attempted feeding. I guess if he were hungry he'd be screaming right? Other than after he gets mad & won't nurse he doesn't scream...

[kriket]

I would only pump if you are uncomfortable. Sometimes when DS changes his schedule around he will take an extra long nap or something and I get so engorged it hurts. Otherwise I wouldn't worry to much, when he's hungry he will eat!

[Caroline P]

Around 3 months most kids become really efficient at the breast and your breast does too. My son did this for sure. They can get more milk in a shorter period and go longer without being at the breast. Rest assured they will nurse when hungry. It just might be more spaced out. That said, if you are really worried do skin to skin. My daughter goes 4-6 hrs between feeds (she is 11 weeks) and she is gaining really well. As long as you can see him drinking at the breast (not nibbling) I would not worry.

[ShwarmaQueen]

I would pump. It's so much easier to maintain a supply than it is to re-build it. He's still very young, chances are he'll up his intake again.

Plus, it's always nice to have a stash in the freezer *just in case*.