Am I screwing myself over?!?

newmom2londyn · October 2009

So I EP and I have a 4 week old daughter who is very demanding! She has a very wacky sleep pattern which basically results in me getting absolutely no sleep most nights. Since I pump and feed her BM in a bottle, I try to pump every 3-4 hrs but sometimes Ihave gone as long as 10 overnight ( this is bad, i know). so my dilemma is at night when she finally does doze off and is sleeping and i can catch a few zzz's, i usually feel like i HAVE to pick sleep over pumping. It will be 3 am and time to pump, but i will look over and see her sleeping and just cant bring myself to turn down those few minutes of sleep that i can sneak in. Am i totally killing my supply by sleeping through those late night pump sessions or would you be choosing sleep over pumping at this point as well? I just dont know what i should be doing or if it makes sense to catch some sleep whenever i can even if that means skipping night pumping sessions. On one hand, i cant function and willo go insane without any sleep but on the other hand, want to feed my DD BM for as long as possible and dont want to ruin my supply. Your thoughts?

PrincessFiona9 · October 2009

I'm no expert, but from what I've read and heard from other moms skipping those sessions can cause your supply to lag. but I hear ya, I'd much rather sleep than get up to pump!

heatherlane · October 2009

Do what feels right.

I woke up around 4AM today (LO was still sleeping, slept until 6:30!) and knew I should have pumped; I was already leaking but I was so tired that I peed and went back to bed with a rag over my boob. I woke up two hours later in pain. Next time I will pick pumping over sleep!

Jessica-Kay · October 2009

I wouldn't go 10 hours without pumping.

I also only pump. I have noticed that if I stick on a schedule during the day and pump once during the night my supply doesn't really change. I pump every 2-3 hours during the day. Making my last time I pump at about 9 or 10 at night. I also pump again between 1-3 in the morning and then again between 5-8. This is also what LO sleep patern is at night right now, so either way I am having to get up.

If your SO/Dh is home at night I would have him do the night feedings and you pump that way you can get back to bed earlier. I know when you are doing it all by yourself that it can be an hour sometimes before you can even get back to bed.

BeanieWeanie · October 2009

I would say it might be better to just pump more frequently during the day (every couple of hours) and get the sleep when you can. I just remember your post a couple of days ago and you will do much better coping-wise if you can get a bit of sleep. And some babies STTN from early on so it would be natural for those Mommies not to BF or pump overnight, so it must be okay supply-wise. Are you getting any more help now? Hope you're feeling a bit better able to manage. Smile

AutumnBride929 · October 2009

I never pumped at night but my supply sucks to begin with so I guess I'm used to having a crappy supply anyway.... therefore, missing night pumping doesn't make a difference in my daily yield of BM. In fact, the most I ever get at one time is when I go long periods of time between pumps (like 12 hours).

ncbelle · October 2009

You definitely shouldn't go 10 hours without pumping or nursing at only 4 weeks in. Any time you don't pump when you give a bottle, you are risking damaging your supply.

The newborn phase is tough but hang in there!

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