I have a 6-week-old baby and I thought that I had to breastfeed every 2-3 hours in a day in order to keep my milk supply from depleting. I wake her at night, but she acts like she isn't hungry, she doesn't want to eat and we both get frusterated. If I let her sleep until she wakes up and is hungry, will my overall milk supply be in jeopordy or does your body make different amounts of milk depending on the time of day?I am worried because I am pumping at work and don't want to start on a downward spiral where I can't pump enough at work because she goes several hours at night without eating...Thanks for your help!
2007-06-07 07:22:20 · 15 answers · asked by divina_jodi 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Your milk supply is at its highest in the morning. During the day it adjusts to your babies schedule once she decides one. I wouldn't wake her in the night, let her sleep because if she isn't hungry she wont eat and it is just extra time you could be getting some Zzzz's. Your milk supply wont deplete if you sleep until she wakes herself up. Babies don't need to eat every 2-3 hours during the night, at first they will wake up alot but then once she gained some pounds her body realizes that she doesn't need to wake up so much during the night.
Hope this helped and if you are still concerned maybe you can contact your doctor or a lactation consultant from the hospital. Good Luck!
2007-06-07 07:28:32 · answer #1 · answered by Stephanie 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Its not true that your milk supply will decrease if you dont breastfeed for 2-3 hours. An average newborn baby will feed 8-12 hours in a day. If she is doing so then you dont' have to worry. This is enough to keep your milk supply up. If you think that your milk supply is decreasing then you can pump your milk but don't force your baby if she isn't hungry. She has a very small tummy and she can't take more than her tummy allows her.
Its not necessary to pump at specific intervals. You can pump whenever you get time. Usually the milk supply is very up in the morning. You can try pumping then.
Good LUCK
2007-06-07 16:24:34 · answer #2 · answered by fragnantrose 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would just be thankfull she is sleeping all night. If you are worried pump @ night and that will help with your milk supply. I wouldnt even worry about it. Your body will make enough milk as long as she is eating. But if you are worried pump. You can always use the milk you pump. You can freeze it up to a month I believe. Put it in the icecube trays. one cube is one oz. If you make her wake up in the night you will just get her on that trend and when you want her to sleep @ night she wont. So let her sleep and pump and store.
2007-06-07 15:24:32 · answer #3 · answered by Barbara 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same situation with my two kids. I would breastfeed them with I was home and pump at work. If they slept longer than normal at night, I would just let them sleep. Sometimes, I would become so full, it would wake me up, and I would just pump while baby slept. If anything, you could set an alarm so that you still wake up every 2-3 hours to pump, and you'll have a supply built up.
2007-06-07 14:42:33 · answer #4 · answered by MILF 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The worst thing you can do is wait until too late to a lactation specialist. Everything may be going perfectly, and reassurance from a specialist will help you relax and stress less about it. If you need to change some part of your routine, now is the time to find out, before your milk supply is affected. I know, because I worried without asking for help and ended up not able to breastfeed as long as I wanted to. Don't rely on us, ask someone who is qualified. :) Congrats on the new baby, and good luck with the breastfeeding!
2007-06-07 14:34:28 · answer #5 · answered by Misty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may not have to feed a 6 week old every 2 hours...your body will make what baby demands. Besides your body has already adjusted to what baby needs. You just need to make sure you are pumping still if you are away from her at work or whatever the reason may be. Good luck! Keep up the good work and a big pat on the back for chosing to breast feed. Good job momma!
Oh and I am not saying bottle feeding is bad...a bottle fed baby is loved just as much as a breast fed baby!
2007-06-07 14:28:42 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I breastfed my four son currently 34, 24, 17 and 15 and I was told just like you were on all four of my sons, "to breastfeed every 2-3 hours". They were not hungry sometimes. I breastfed only when they were hungry. If my breast were full and hurting in the morning or in the day because he did not feed, I would get in the shower and let worm water hit my breast and my breast would release milk on their own or I would pump and save it until he would be hungry. Don't worry because your breast never stop producing milk unless you stop breastfeeding or stop pumping.
Good Luck
2007-06-07 17:17:07 · answer #7 · answered by Norma 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dont worry, and be thankful that sle is sleeping! My daughter did the same thing, and I did start to have a milk supply issue, but I would breastfeed in the AM, then pump, and it helped. Good luck!
2007-06-07 14:26:37 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I might not have anything new to add, but my thought is this. just get up and pump at night if you are awake. my kids all slept through the night at 2 weeks, so that part does not sound odd to me, i do not wake a sleeping child (unless something is wrong)
this way you do not disturb your child and you can keep up the milk supply!
2007-06-07 14:31:28 · answer #9 · answered by Havanah_A 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely do not wake your daughter. Enjoy the extra sleep. She will wake you when she is hungry or needs something. Your milk will adjust to your babies needs. These moments you share with your daughter breastfeeding are the best bonding time. Enjoy them! As long as she is gaining weight and is healthy and happy there is nothing to worry about.
2007-06-07 14:40:23 · answer #10 · answered by cfin5 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋