BFing question

flamencogal

Since I've never had a baby drink straight from the tap (ha!) I'm not sure how this works.  So when LO starts sleeping a longer stretch at night, how does my body know to start producing less milk.  Last night Nate slept a 4 hour stretch (YAY!) but when he woke to feed, my breasts were rock hard, engorged which made it very difficult for him to latch.  I hand expressed some milk to try and help him but eventually had to pump to get them soft enough for him.  I know pumping is not the answer b/c that signals the body to produce more milk.  Just wondering how this works itself out.

AngelPack

It just takes some time but it will happen after a few nights of realizing he isn't needing that much milk.  Pretty much don't do anything.  You did fine hand expressing to make it easier to latch, I remember having to do that on occaision as well.  It will work itself out though. 

It is great that this is working out so well for you this time around!

NatPhoto09

AngelPack:

It just takes some time but it will happen after a few nights of realizing he isn't needing that much milk.  Pretty much don't do anything.  You did fine hand expressing to make it easier to latch, I remember having to do that on occasion as well.  It will work itself out though. 

It is great that this is working out so well for you this time around!

Exactly this.  Your body just knows and will adjust.  woohoo for getting it from the tap

lalabee0425

Your body will eventually adjust at night but just so you know pumping off a little bit to get the baby to latch will not produce more milk. I have to do this sometimes because I have a fast flow and Callie gets choked. Sometimes if I get extra full at night I need to pump off some too---but only for like 1 minute maybe 2. I never save that milk since it's just frothy fore-milk and hard to digest.