Am I messing up my supply?

[Crazybean]

DS (1 week old today) nurses every 2-3 hrs during the day and sometimes those nursing sessions can drag on over an hour- sometimes it is one breast, other times it is both in one session. Yesterday, it was more like every 1.5 hrs I had to nurse for 40 min or so..

At NIGHT, DS likes to sleep upwards of 5-6 hrs with no feeding break. For example, last night I fed him at 830-845pm again at 930-1030pm and again at 1145-1am. I didn't have to feed him this am until 650am and he only took one breast. I feed on demand and SEEM to have enough for his needs during the day- plenty of wet/dirty diapers and he is gaining well.

Isn't your supply built mainly at night due to certain hormones? Should I be waking him in the middle of the night if his weight is fine and mom feels rested?

[PatioGardener]

I like to wake at night after 3-5 hours (depending on baby) until baby is 2 weeks old or until he has regained birth weight if that takes longer than 2 weeks.

I think that 7 hours is too long for a 1 week old (11:45 pm to 6:50 am = 7 hours from start of one feed until start of the next) and for Mama's supply. If gaining an ounce a day or more after 2 weeks I'm more comfortable following baby's lead.

(You're right, prolactin peaks from 1-5 am, so a feed in there is helpful for supply.)

Congrats and enjoy your babymoon!

[boobs4milk]

i agree with patio! i never let them go over 3 hours at any time, day or night, when they are newborns. good luck!

[Ellien C]

Personally, I would not wake a baby to nurse, but I did with my first! I think in a few weeks, you'll be wishing for those 6-7 hour stretches. Newborns sleep a lot more in the first 2 weeks than ever again. I say take it (sleep) when you can get it!