pumping at night
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pumping at night
| Tue, 04-02-2013 - 7:45pm |
My daughter is 6 weeks old...we've been exclusively pumping for about 5 weeks. My question is is it important to pump in the middle of the night if I am getting in about 9 pumping sessions throughout the day? I was thinking since baby is sleeping 7 hour stretches, if I was nursing I wouldn't be getting up but I know the pump is not as effective as baby. So which is more important, pumping every so often all day and night or the number of pumps but not how long in between? I have had supply issues and I'm still working to increase my supply, so I'm nervous to do anything that might make it drop. Thanks!!!
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If you are concerned about your supply, then I would not try it yet. I'm new to all this too, but read that you get your best milk supply between 1:00-5:00 am. So make sure you pump then. I pump every 3 hours and occasionally 4, but would love to sleep longer. I also read that you can increase the time when the milk is established around 12 weeks and/or about 35 fl oz. a day. I'm trying to get to 12 weeks. Luckily, I am a teacher taking the rest of the school year off so I can afford to give up sleep. If you are working you might try a 6 hour stretch, but I wouldn't go longer than that and still pump between the hours mentioned and pump an extra pump occasionally, during the day.
I'm not a nurse though so it is best to ask one first.
Good luck.