FTM question.. Google no help.

Frannavaldez9399

I know that breastfeeding is a supply/demand situation.. But I'm worried about the supply part. LO is 5 weeks old tomorrow, and was feeding every 1-2 hours pretty regularly. Even through the night. The past 4-5 days he's gone to eating every 1-4(!) hours??? Even if I wake him, it seems he only eats because I force him. And he's going 4 hours a stretch at night sleeping. Is this right? Is this just him growing and making a new eating schedule? My breasts seem to know when it's been 2 hours... They suddenly get very full and very painful. I was thinking of pumping when this happens, but I don't want an over supply. Any input is appreciated!! (I googled it, but I'm either wording it wrong or it's just a dumb question.)

SharleeD

Its not a dumb question! at that point tho, I was still waking to feed every 2.5-3 hours during the day and letting him sleep longer stretches at night if he could.  Babies tend to change their eating and sleeping habits often though so I'm willing to bet in a week or so LO will be wanting to eat more often.  If I were you, I wouldnt pump unless you're trying to make a freezer stash and when your breasts get painful, you can just hand express to comfort (or pump to get comfortable and not to empty).  Hope this helps!

Frannavaldez9399

So I don't need to worry about drying up just because he's taking a week off? Lol I'm worried that if I don't get the milk out when my chest fills up, it will dry up?

mexicolombiana

As long as you're still feeding him on demand even in stretches of 3-4 hours you should be fine.  Your body will adjust. Honestly if I was in your position, I might pump a little and just stick it in the freezer.  In some people it can create an oversupply but it never did for me.  It sounds like you're doing great and your baby is just getting more milk, more efficiently. 

SharleeD

Your body will adjust to what baby needs and shouldnt dry up unless hes just not eating at all.  But I would suggest doing everything you can to keep him awake at the breast and eating every few hours

Frannavaldez9399

Thank you ladies. This makes me feel better.

jennypenny*

In the beginning my lo went every three hr during the day and for hrs at night. He has gained fine, and when he brought tge feedings closer together because of growth spurt I didn't have an issue keeping up.

BackseatDriver

Sounds completely normal. I would just keep responding to his cues. IME skipping one feeding or pumping a little extra sporadically never really messed with my supply. However I'm sure there will be times (probably soon) where he will be going through a growth spurt and it will seem like he is never getting enough. Don't stress, just keep nursing and let your body respond the way it is designed. It will make more to meet his needs. If you want to pump to build a supply I would pick a time of day that is convenient or when your supply is typically high so that your body gets used to producing milk for that feeding. Also as your body adjusts to the amount of milk that your baby needs your breasts will start to feel less full. Often this happens around 3 months or so. Don't worry that is also completely normal.