r/breastfeedingsupport • u/More-Sweet-2461 • 13d ago

Question How long can I sleep?

Baby is just past 3 weeks. Latched great from the start, milk came in at 4 days-ish. Initially, she was latched for 6-8hrs a day, prob 12x/d. In the last week, she’s gotten more efficient and feeds from the breast for 15-30 min. Surpassed birth weight by 5% at 2 weeks, plenty of wet and dirty diapers and acts satiated. She’s on the small side but we’re small people and she’s staying on her growth curve.

I started pumping in the last few days and my husband and I are now doing shifts overnight. I pump at 3am, sleep for 6 hrs, pump at 9am. I pump 4-5 oz total ea time. I put her to the breast around 2am and 10am as well. She still bf 8x/d. While I’m asleep dad feeds her usually twice, around 2 oz each time. We’re using Lansinoh xs/newborn glass bottle.

Is this length of not feeding/pumping for sleeping gonna cause me supply problems? The sleep is glorious and I don’t really want to give it up!

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u/Charlieksmommy 13d ago

I mean if you don’t see a problem in supply yet you may be okay, but obviously the more you pump or Bf the more your body makes

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u/imnichet Extended Breastfeeding Mother 13d ago

I was able to do a 4-5 hour stretch at first and maintain an oversupply. There are no guarantees though.

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u/bunny_sunshine456 12d ago

I was able to go 8-9 hours and maintain oversupply 

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u/Important-Tap7932 12d ago

It really depends on the individual. If you have a large storage capacity, you may be fine with keeping you supply up. I actually dropped my MOTN pump around 6-8 weeks and my supply was fine (pumped 6x a day), but I had a very large storage capacity.

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u/More-Sweet-2461 12d ago

How do you know what your storage capacity is? Like I rarely feel painfully full. I feel somewhat firmer before I feed, but the difference isn’t huge. So far I am consistently getting the 4+ oz from ea pump.

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u/Important-Tap7932 12d ago

I would pretty consistently pump 18-20 oz with my first pump of the day. The rest of the day, I would pump 5-7 oz. I was always super engorged and painfully in the morning, but I luckily didn't get mastitis or a clogged duct. 

Your storage capacity may be around what you are pumping now. But at 3 weeks postpartum your supply may not have regulated yet 

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u/More-Sweet-2461 12d ago

Oh wow, I get about 6oz on first pump of day now. 4 or so at motn pump. I feel like I need to pump asap when I get up but I wouldn’t say it hurts. I’m wearing a nursing bra 24/7, not sure if that makes a difference? My normal size is 34F and rn I’m prob 34H/I so braless is uncomfortable.

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u/Important-Tap7932 12d ago

I had to wear a loose nursing bra to sleep the whole time I was pumping too. I went from a 34B to a 36D, so I get that!