What is the longest I should go without pumping?

sarelewis

LO is sleeping most of the night now (yay!) Sometimes this means I don't pump or BF for many hours.  It hit 9 last night and kind of freaked me out as I haven't gone much over 4 or 5 and that was a stretch for me.  His longer sleep patterns hasn't effected my supply at all and I seem to easily be able to nurse him, pump plenty, and still store some - but it almost all occurs between 7 am and 9 pm.  Is that a problem that might catch up with me?  

cindyhow

You don't need to pump overnight unless you have a supply issue  - your body will adjust - enjoy the sleep!

 

thehimwithher

you should be fine at 8-9 hrs overnight.  i will say if lo starts to sleep 12 hrs straight, you may consider pumping once. 

 i say that b/c dd #1 slept from 7p-7a starting at 4 months.  i would pump before i went to bed so i could stay comfortable-around 9 or 10pm.  then after several months my freezer stash got out of control and i was having to donate milk so i decided i should drop that pump.  a few months (around 9-10 months) later my supply took a huge hit and i think it was b/c going 12 hrs b/t feedings is too long.  i think my body got the message that i was weaning but i wasn't!  at least that is my therory.

dd#2 is leaning twards the same schedule as her sister but i'm keeping my before bed pump for my supply even if it means i have to donate or dump the milk.