Night Pumping When 4 Month Old Sleeps

Updated on November 10, 2009
S.H. asks from Stafford Springs, CT
7 answers

I fall into the group of women whose milk supply drops during the day when I don't nurse or pump at night. After having to build my supply back up after such an incident with mass amounts of Fenugreek and pumping around the clock, I am not eager to have it drop again. Although I am aware that many women's milk production regulates when they don't nurse at night, mine apparently goes into "wean-mode".

That being said, I am curious to hear from women who have successfully breastfed under such circumstances. I would like to figure out a schedule that will maximize my sleep without sacrificing my milk supply from dropping during the day. Currently, my 4 month old goes to sleep somewhere between 8:45pm and 9:45pm and I nurse him close to bedtime. Unless otherwise disturbed (by gas or night sounds) he will wake up some time around 6:30-8:00. This makes for a total 9.5-10 hours a night.

Thus far I have been pumping once between 12:30am and 2:00am and then again at 4:00am. This seems to work okay as far as supply is concerned; however, I feel like the times that I have chosen are slightly arbitrary - I would like to figure out something more consistent. I remember reading that between 12am and 3am are pretty crucial times for increasing prolactin levels (hence the time of the first night pumping) and I want to pump another time without taking away too much from his large, first meal of the day and without going for an extended period of time (hence the 4:00am pumping). Unfortunately, I still feel like his first meal of the day isn't as big as it was prior to the night-pumping and my supply remains merely adequate (nothing to write home about).

Needless to say, I would love some suggestions on when to pump - or even if I should just wake him up for a night feed (which is definitely easier said than done). I am even open to pumping prior to bed or putting him to bed earlier or later. Maintaining and even boosting my milk supply (without supplements) is what is most important to me at this point.

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So What Happened?

Thank you for all your replies. I am re-writing my response since I have changed up my routine a bit - just in case any other mothers are dealing with this and want to find out what really happened. Anyhow, I haven't been too successful at altering his bed-time siince it's mostly dicated by when he wakes up from his evening nap. I have tried all sorts of variations - pumping/nursing every 4 hours - waking him/ not waking him. Most often, I usually aim to nurse or pump somewhere between 9:00pm and 10:00pm. I have been setting my alarm for 5 - 5.5 hours from his last feeding. Oftentimes he will wake up around 2:30am - and I will either nurse him or give him what I have pumped. I have been on the fence about the second stretch - some days I pump at 4 hours after I have woken up - occassionally, I will wait the full 5.5 hours until he wakes up...but I am so nervous the whole time that it is almost not worth it. I can't help but wonder if there would be a noticable difference in my milk supply if I pumped more often and if so, would it even be necessary to increase my current supply? Anyhow, this is what I am doing for now. Thank you all for your suggestions.

More Answers

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A.C.

answers from Boston on

I also had milk supply problems--was supplementing with 17 oz of formula per day but little by little the supplementing has now dropped to about 4 oz of formula per day. I was able to increase my supply by only having to wake up once during the night to pump. During the day, I'm able to breastfeed as much as he wants because I mainly work from home--not sure if you're working. (My son is 12 weeks old and has been sleeping about 9 hours/night since he was 7 weeks old.)

Anyhow, here's what I do. I never go more than 5 hours without pumping at night. If his last feeding is well before I go to bed, then I pump before going to sleep. Based on when I think he will wake up, I set my alarm to wake up usually between 3am and 4am. I saw a lactation consultant, and she said that regarding the prolactin levels, the best time to pump is between 12 and 5 am. She also said not to go more than 5 hours without pumping if trying to increase supply. Thus, what I would suggest is to pump before you go to bed since this would maximize your sleeping time before you have to pump again. Then set your alarm for 5 hours later just in case your baby doesn't wake you up first. I find that it's easier to wake up my son in the morning compared to the middle of the night. Thus, if the 5 hours have passed, wake your baby up for a morning feed. Like this, you are only getting up once in the night to pump rather than twice. It's worked for me; I hope it can work for you!

Best of luck!

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D.B.

answers from Boston on

You mention that you don't want to use supplements. Are you against ALL supplements, or are you worried about getting something that isn't safe or which stimulates the central nervous system? My friend used a comprehensive and patented (therefore safe and effective) supplement that her doctor approved, and she had none of the problems you are facing. Lots of milk, thicker milk, and she was chasing a 3 year old toddler and not getting much sleep while she was doing this.

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M.A.

answers from Providence on

I would say don't wake up your baby! If he is able to sleep for so long at this age without waking for a feeding, you are very lucky and you should embrace that habit of his!! :) I also had some supply issues and found myself pumping before I went to bed, then again every three hours. My baby didn't sleep so long though so it was always hard to figure out when I could pump but also be able to feed her if/when she woke up. I don't know the exact information about the timings but if I were you I would pump before I went to bed. You might as well, right? I looked at it like one last emptying before I went to bed. But it sounds like what you're doing is working out okay for your supply and that you are doing the right thing. Try not to stress, I don't think there is really a best way - just what works out for you. Good luck!

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V.J.

answers from Los Angeles on

I have a 3 month old who sleeps from 11 pm until 6 am. Have you tried keeping baby up to nurse at 10:30 pm and then get the baby up at 6:00 am to nurse so that you don't go so long between feedings? Maybe that will help it seems to work for us.

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J.C.

answers from Providence on

hi, I don't have this problem but my 6 week old daughter sometimes sleeps for long stretches. If I wake up, I just pick her up and nurse her. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to sleep b/c my breasts would feel too full. She goes right back to sleep. I can't imagine getting out the breast pump in the middle of the night! That sounds brutal. Anyway, good luck!

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D.A.

answers from Boston on

I read the book happy baby healthy sleep habits which recommends a early bed time espec. starting by 3 months. Your milk supply sounds like mine. What worked for me was 7p feed/bedtime for baby. Then i would pump on both sides before i went to bed usually around 11p Baby usually got up to eat around 2-3a then again around 8a.
Good luck

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N.S.

answers from Hartford on

Do you do anything special to encourage him to sleep through the night? My daughter was diong that but after having an ear infection at about 6 months she wakes up 2-3 times a night to nurse? Did you follow any bedtime rituals or Ferber Method?

I have the same problem and I work until midnight so I pump when I can but I am starting the go into wean mode andI have to nurse as long as possible becuase my other child was allergic to cows milk...I am interested in looking at your reponses to help me as well! I am right there with you! just wanted to dhare this... you are not alone.

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