**ateytelb**

ScoobyM

How does the night nanny thing work?  I mentioned this to DH and we are semi-interested in hiring one since we are both really struggling with the lack of sleep.  This would be for Noah, who seems to want to nurse so often at night.  You mentioned you EP;  how do you handle pumping overnight or ensuring enough milk for the nanny, etc?  Any info you can offer is appreciated!!

ateytelb

Hi Stephanie! The nanny stays in Erin's room from 10pm to 7am. We have a sofa bed in Erin's room so the nanny can sleep if she has a chance. I leave a few bottles with BM in the fridge for her. Plus, I am still doing the 3am pump so I check on how things are going and leave a bottle with fresh milk for the next feeding at RT. Since I EP and don't BF I always have enough milk in bottles. I am not sure, though, how I would handle this if I were EBFing and the baby wanted to cluster-feed at night. (I wish I could BF though  -  just didn't work out.) My brother also has a night-time nanny, but their baby is 8 months old and he doesn't really need to eat at night.

ScoobyM

Thanks!  I don't know if we'll go this route but it is very tempting if I can work out how to handle pumping.  I kind of feel if I would have to get up and pump at night to keep up with Noah's feedings that I might as well just feed him myself, you know?  But I don't know how long I can keep up with working full time and getting only a few hours of sleep at night.  I guess we'll see if this keeps up or if he starts to sleep longer stretches soon.  I'm hoping it's just a phase!  I know with Ellie it is - she has done similar things before and I think it is just the continued adjustment to no longer getting 100% of our attention, so hopefully she will go back to sleeping at night again.

ateytelb

Yes, I also think Ellie is going through a phase and it should end soon. For Noah, you can potentially pump small amounts a few times during the day and right before you go to bed at night (e.g. at midnight). This way he can have enough BM for a couple of night-time feedings, and your supply will remain the same and not go down. Pumping is a lot of work though, not sure if it's worth it when your BFing is already going well. Plus, Noah may start STTN soon.