Babies: 6 - 9 Months

Feeling guilty: cut out my middle of the night pumping session

I decided at 6 months, I would stop getting up to pump in the middle of the night. I SAH, so the only reason why I was doing it was for a good supply (which I have - the entire freezer in the garage is stocked full, I would say at least 1000ounces or so). It's nice to get a decent night sleep now (Harrison sleeps from 8-8), although I am very very full in the morning and Harrison gets a nice feast first thing...lol.

I still feel guilty for some reason. Like I should be continuing with the stash. I'm not done pumping, since I will more than likely be away from him at times (so I'll have to pump to make up for the feeding), but still.

image Preston 10/13/06 - Harrison 04/14/10

Re: Feeling guilty: cut out my middle of the night pumping session

  • Kudos on making it that long pumping in the middle of the night!

    My stash is about the same as yours, but my DS doesn't STTN.  He goes down at 7pm and wakes up to nurse around 3:30-4am. I'm working on cutting out the pumping session before I go to sleep (about 11pm) and I'm feeling guilty about it, too.

    image

    Abraham Arthur 2/21/10 // Asher Kendall 11/11/11

    Baby Birthday Ticker TickerBaby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • Loading the player...
  • Since you are still feeling full in the morning you should pump after the first AM feeding in order to keep that supply of "extra" milk. 

    Don't feel guilty -- I don't pump in the middle of the night either and I am struggling with my supply right now.  I make "just enough" and can't get ahead.  But - I already wake up to feed him at night so pumping also just seems so unreasonable to me.

    Lilypie Third Birthday tickers Lilypie First Birthday tickers
  • No need to feel guilty at all!  It sounds like you have a plentiful stash and you'll continue to over-produce what LO needs if you're pumping when LO is not waking to eat.  Your body will align with what your LO's needs are, kwim?  I do what you currently do so DD gets a fat-laden VERY full feeding upon waking in the morning which is what you want.

    I work FT, have about 20 3-5 ounce bags stashed but rarely need to dip into it since whatever I pump at work is for the next day at daycare.  When I dip into the stash, the fresh milk I pump during the week usually replenishes whatever I've taken from the stash at some point.

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • I don't think you should feel guilty about this at all!!  You've done a great job already!

    I'm just wondering if you are planning to give DS your stash?  You are supposed to use the frozen milk within 3-4 months (I think up to 6 months  in a deep freezer?). 

  • imageNiniJ55:

    Since you are still feeling full in the morning you should pump after the first AM feeding in order to keep that supply of "extra" milk. 

    Don't feel guilty -- I don't pump in the middle of the night either and I am struggling with my supply right now.  I make "just enough" and can't get ahead.  But - I already wake up to feed him at night so pumping also just seems so unreasonable to me.

    This is me exactly. She still wakes up a number of times to eat so I don'tpump in the middle of the night. I often do an early morning pumping after feeding her (approx. 4 am). Currently I have 3 4 oz bags left in my freezer, so I need to do something to get more!

    That's amazing you have the motivation to get up in the middle of the night. Once I'm asleep it is so hard to wake up and get out of bed! 

  • imageLoriZoo:

    I don't think you should feel guilty about this at all!!  You've done a great job already!

    I'm just wondering if you are planning to give DS your stash?  You are supposed to use the frozen milk within 3-4 months (I think up to 6 months  in a deep freezer?). 

    Yes, It is a deep freezer (small one), so it's good up to 6 months and have already given him some that old (when I first started pumping) and he was fine with it. (Thank God). I may go back to work within the next couple of months (not sure yet), so I just want to make sure I have enough. Plus, DH and I travel a ton and sometimes we bring both kids, sometimes just one and sometime neither of them, so I want to make sure there is enough stash for a couple of days. I just went away last weekend (w/o kids) and pumped 45 ounces in two days while I was away (although Harrison ate more like 55 ounces or so).

    image Preston 10/13/06 - Harrison 04/14/10
  • imagekate930:
    imageNiniJ55:

    Since you are still feeling full in the morning you should pump after the first AM feeding in order to keep that supply of "extra" milk. 

    Don't feel guilty -- I don't pump in the middle of the night either and I am struggling with my supply right now.  I make "just enough" and can't get ahead.  But - I already wake up to feed him at night so pumping also just seems so unreasonable to me.

    This is me exactly. She still wakes up a number of times to eat so I don'tpump in the middle of the night. I often do an early morning pumping after feeding her (approx. 4 am). Currently I have 3 4 oz bags left in my freezer, so I need to do something to get more!

    That's amazing you have the motivation to get up in the middle of the night. Once I'm asleep it is so hard to wake up and get out of bed! 

    I set my alarm on my phone for 2am everynight...lol.

    I don't think I would have any left after Harrison eats first thing. He eats from both sides and seems stuffed aftewards. He is definitely pigging out! :-)

    image Preston 10/13/06 - Harrison 04/14/10
  • That's awesome that you were able to get such a huge stash. I have about 9 oz in the freezer right now. I'm barely able to keep up with LO and some days - I can't so we have to supplement. Especially now that LO has been waking up to eat around 10-11pm when I would pump before bed
    (he used to STTN - 7pm-4am) - I haven't been able to build a stash Crying. Don't feel guilty - that is awesome for him!
    Little man # 1 - 03/05/2010
    Little man # 2 - 05/02/2013
    Little sister - 07/16/2015
  • You should definitely NOT feel guilty!  I EP and I've never once pumped in the middle of the night.  You've got a great stash.  Enjoy your rest!
    Pregnancy Ticker
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"