? about STTN and pumping

MsPurple24 · May 2011

It appears that Baby H is working on STTN. For the last three nights in a row, she has dropped her midnight feeding and has eaten at 9:00pm, then not again until 3:00am. Since she's going 6 hours between feeds (during the day it's 4 hours), should I get up and pump in the middle of the night? I know I should be sleeping, but I would love to get that breastmilk stashed away if I can.

Advice? TIA!

(P.S. Now that I have called attention to it, she'll probably wake up every 2 hours tonight... The Husband and I always say, first rule of baby sleep: don't talk about baby sleep!)

AvaLikeLava · May 2011

Your DH is spot on. Every time I got excited about S STTN he'd wake up every 2-3 hours for a week afterward as punishment for me boasting Huh?

In terms of pumping, it's up to you. My supply was always the most plentiful in the early morning hours, so a 2am pump was critical with G once he started STTN. However, most people have their best pump say between 7-10am. It's honestly up to you and whether sleeping wins out for you. You can certainly try it for a little while. If you end up missing that sleep, then stop pumping.

Meanwhile, to start your stash, do a pump 20 min after the first morning feed. It won't be much, but it will build up over time.

ladipale · May 2011

Man, pumping caused me so much stress. (and still does!) I was never sure when to pump, how often, etc.

The problem (?) if you pump at midnight is that you'll keep producing at midnight if you keep pumping, KWIM? What if you try to pump right before you go to bed, even if its only an hour after 9pm?

When she eats at 3am, does she eat from both sides? When I was building my stash, I would feed from one boob at her 3/4am feed and then go pump the other side, and could get quite a bit. And then if she does a 2nd longer stretch, i would pump again from the side she didn't eat from after her first morning feed.

Now I have quite the freezer stash and in fact, I still pump more each day than she takes in at daycare so we haven't even dived into the freezer stash.

Mrs.BoomBoom · May 2011

I just got up and pumped if I was full and it woke me up. Otherwise, I slept.

Lesley423 · May 2011

I probably wouldn't do it. What I did for a long time was pump about an hour after L went to bed. At first I wouldn't get much but soon enough my body was used to producing milk then so I'd get a decent amount. Once he started STTN 10-12 hours I would pump an hour before he got up in the morning (I was already up getting ready for work) and then still have enough to feed him when he woke up.

kala1682 · May 2011

Ditto Lesley, I don't get up to pump but I pump right before I go to bed. It took my body a few days to get use to her STTN but after that it was back to normal.

MsPurple24 · May 2011

Thanks, everyone! I do really want to work on my stash (I have about 40 oz. in the freezer right now), and even though it's not too uncomfortable to sleep, it would be worth it to me to get that BM saved. I like the idea of pumping right before I go to bed, even if it's only an hour or so after she ate- I will try that first!

On a related note (and related to what ladipale said), pumping kind of stresses me out. I was SO excited to get my Medela Freestyle, but I hate it!! It's uncomfortable and I don't have a hands-free bra yet, so I'm stuck holding them and watching the drip, drip, drip... I guess since I love breastfeeding so much, I figured pumping wouldn't be that bad. Wrong!

So you probably think I'm crazy for even considering waking up to pump! But I'm a glutton for punishment.

Thanks again for the advice!

f&s2006 · May 2011

I did what a few of the others did - I would pump in the evening after P went down/before I went to bed to build my stash. I loved my sleep too much. haha.

And as a side note, I have a pumping bra I used maybe once. It just didn't feel as comfortable as I wanted - I think it's a size S/M -- shoot me an email if you're interested at fands2006 at gmail

MsPurple24 · May 2011

f&s2006:
I did what a few of the others did - I would pump in the evening after P went down/before I went to bed to build my stash. I loved my sleep too much. haha.
And as a side note, I have a pumping bra I used maybe once. It just didn't feel as comfortable as I wanted - I think it's a size S/M -- shoot me an email if you're interested at fands2006 at gmail

Thank you so much! That's really nice of you. But given the fact that I was 36F during the pregnancy... and I think I'm bigger now that I'm BFing... I don't think S/M will come anywhere close to fitting! But I appreciate the offer so much!

Mrs.BoomBoom · May 2011

MsPurple24:
f&s2006:
I did what a few of the others did - I would pump in the evening after P went down/before I went to bed to build my stash. I loved my sleep too much. haha.
And as a side note, I have a pumping bra I used maybe once. It just didn't feel as comfortable as I wanted - I think it's a size S/M -- shoot me an email if you're interested at fands2006 at gmail

Thank you so much! That's really nice of you. But given the fact that I was 36F during the pregnancy... and I think I'm bigger now that I'm BFing... I don't think S/M will come anywhere close to fitting! But I appreciate the offer so much!

Get thee to Tiny Tots are cut up a cheap bra or nursing tank.

maryh01 · May 2011

MsPurple24:
Thanks, everyone! I do really want to work on my stash (I have about 40 oz. in the freezer right now), and even though it's not too uncomfortable to sleep, it would be worth it to me to get that BM saved. I like the idea of pumping right before I go to bed, even if it's only an hour or so after she ate- I will try that first!
On a related note (and related to what ladipale said), pumping kind of stresses me out. I was SO excited to get my Medela Freestyle, but I hate it!! It's uncomfortable and I don't have a hands-free bra yet, so I'm stuck holding them and watching the drip, drip, drip... I guess since I love breastfeeding so much, I figured pumping wouldn't be that bad. Wrong!
So you probably think I'm crazy for even considering waking up to pump! But I'm a glutton for punishment.

Thanks again for the advice!

I pumped for a month every 2 hours (ugh I shudder just thinking about it!)...but it shouldn't be super uncomfortable. You may need to get different size flanges. I had to go up 2 sizes from the standard that comes with the pumps! Your nipples shouldn't rub against the sides of the flange (this would mean they're too small), but it also shouldn't pull too much of your areola in either (this would mean they're too big). BRU has the different sizes or you can order them on Amazon too.

Also, put some lanolin on before you start pumping. It keeps them from rubbing raw.

And definitely get yourself and hands free bra! There's one at Target that worked for me...it's called Simple Wishes or something? And it was in the section with all the BFing stuff. Target may even have the flanges...I can't remember.

maryh01 · May 2011

Check out this link

https://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/tips-and-solutions/13/choosing-a-correctly-fitted-breastshield

MsPurple24 · May 2011

maryh01:
Check out this link
https://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/tips-and-solutions/13/choosing-a-correctly-fitted-breastshield

Thanks so much! I'm currently using one size up from what was included in the pump, but I'm not positive it's the right size. I'm actually going to Kaiser tomorrow to meet with a nurse regarding a separate BF issue (H might have silent reflux), so I'm going to take my pump and see if she'll check my breastshields.

As far as the bra.... I hate to say this because I'm sure it will sound really whiny... but running a simple errand like going to Target or Tiny Tots is so hard these days, and that's the only reason I don't have a hands-free bra yet. When you have a baby that screams in the car and doesn't have the tolerance to run errands, going to Target for one item just gets pushed to the back burner because it doesn't feel worth it for the stress. I loathe getting in the car these days. But since I'll be at Kaiser tomorrow, maybe I'll check their resource center to see if they sell them there.

I appreciate all the advice!

GirlStylist · May 2011

Um I'm in the minority I am sure this is CRAZY to alot of people but with Dc # 1 I actually set a alarm at 3 am to pump every night. I did that from the time he was 7 months to a year. I never ever pumped as much as he drank during the day. So that is how I was able to EBF.

With dc # 2 being aware of this when he started sttn at 2 months he consistently woke up at around 5 am so I woke up around 15 minutes before, pumped then nursed him afterwards. Since my body never "adjusted" I got 4-5 oz before and when he nursed he still got plenty. You know how the baby can get more from you then the pump etc.

So call me crazy but it was worth it and TIRING but I'm so glad I did it !

maryh01 · May 2011

MsPurple24:
maryh01:
Check out this link
https://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/tips-and-solutions/13/choosing-a-correctly-fitted-breastshield
Thanks so much! I'm currently using one size up from what was included in the pump, but I'm not positive it's the right size. I'm actually going to Kaiser tomorrow to meet with a nurse regarding a separate BF issue (H might have silent reflux), so I'm going to take my pump and see if she'll check my breastshields.
As far as the bra.... I hate to say this because I'm sure it will sound really whiny... but running a simple errand like going to Target or Tiny Tots is so hard these days, and that's the only reason I don't have a hands-free bra yet. When you have a baby that screams in the car and doesn't have the tolerance to run errands, going to Target for one item just gets pushed to the back burner because it doesn't feel worth it for the stress. I loathe getting in the car these days. But since I'll be at Kaiser tomorrow, maybe I'll check their resource center to see if they sell them there.
I appreciate all the advice!

Totally understandable...order from Amazon!

https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Wishes-Pumping-Bustier-Breastpump/dp/B003Y01MQY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1304657019&sr=8-2

MsPurple24 · May 2011

maryh01:
MsPurple24:
maryh01:
Check out this link
https://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/tips-and-solutions/13/choosing-a-correctly-fitted-breastshield
Thanks so much! I'm currently using one size up from what was included in the pump, but I'm not positive it's the right size. I'm actually going to Kaiser tomorrow to meet with a nurse regarding a separate BF issue (H might have silent reflux), so I'm going to take my pump and see if she'll check my breastshields.
As far as the bra.... I hate to say this because I'm sure it will sound really whiny... but running a simple errand like going to Target or Tiny Tots is so hard these days, and that's the only reason I don't have a hands-free bra yet. When you have a baby that screams in the car and doesn't have the tolerance to run errands, going to Target for one item just gets pushed to the back burner because it doesn't feel worth it for the stress. I loathe getting in the car these days. But since I'll be at Kaiser tomorrow, maybe I'll check their resource center to see if they sell them there.
I appreciate all the advice!
Totally understandable...order from Amazon!
https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Wishes-Pumping-Bustier-Breastpump/dp/B003Y01MQY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1304657019&sr=8-2

I'm going to check at Kaiser today- otherwise I will be ordering from Amazon this afternoon! Thank you!

Want a personalized experience?

? about STTN and pumping

Re: ? about STTN and pumping

Choose Another Board

Search Boards