Breast Feeding at Night

my 2nd baby slept for long periods at night also. I wouldn't wake him up...if he's hungry, he'll wake up on his own. And I wouldn't pump any milk, either. for the first few weeks, I had to wear a couple layers of nursing pads and a sports bra b/c I would leak a LOT in between feedings and I was very sore those first few weeks. But your body naturally regulates milk production, even so much as producing more during the day when the baby eats more and less at night when baby eats less! If you pump, your body will think that baby is eating more, so it will keep producing as much, or even more milk! So basically, don't do anything =) Just feed him whenever he gets up and as much as he wants, then be prepared to soak through a lot of nursing pads/bras during the night until your milk production gets regulated naturally =) I used the cloth nursing pads b/c it's cheaper (you just throw them in the washer), and they hold more than the disposable kind, and I found them to be much more comfortable. Good luck!

Hmm... I wouldn't let him go longer than 4 or 5 hours since he's so little, but my son went that long during the day for awhile when we first brought him home... Try changing his diaper midfeeding to keep him awake enough to eat as much as he can when he wakes. Did you check with your doc about the lotion. I was told not to use any lotions until 6-8 weeks and even still the doc said just Eucerin or Cetaphil. Just curious... :)

okay...trust me on this... LET HIM SLEEP... there will be times you look back on this and WISH it was still happening..

If your too full to wait, then express some in the shower or pump...That way when you are sick or otherwise not arount there is some breastmilk in your frezer the sitter or your hubby can use to feed your son...

SO...let you son sleep and enjoy your peace and quiet while it lasts!...

Good Luck and best wishes...;-)

My daughter nursed on the same pattern for the longest time...every two hours during the day and every 4 hours at night. He is small, but it sounds like he is eating like a champ. I would let him sleep...you will look back on these days with fondness.

I don't really buy the whole sleep training thing, but I certainly wouldn't get him in the habit of waking up to nurse more often. It won't happen now, but it will become a habit for you and he'll catch on sooner or later

You are still establishing your milk production. It is uncomfortable, but it will regulate. If you pump, you WILL encourage ongoing production--I produced FOUR extra gallons in about 6 months time. Donation may be an option if you'd like to go that route.

You should be careful about overproduction. This can lead to your child getting too much foremilk (high in carbs) and not enough hindmilk (rich in fat). This can make your baby gassy and fussy and you may see a change in bowel movement consistency.

The easiest way to resolve this is to only nurse one side per session. Detach your child part way through, burp, and latch right back on the same side. If your baby is still hungry after one side, go ahead and offer the second breast...just remember which side you stopped on. This is the hardest part--use a bracelet, ring, rubber band, safety pin on your shirt, etc. to keep track.

Congratulations on your new bundle of joy. I also do have a 2 week old son, born April 6th. I wish he would sleep for 5 hours at a time. The most he sleeps is 2 hours.
However, this is my 3rd child and each baby is different. It is my advice to not wake him up, babies will wake and cry when they are REALLY hungry. About pumping, it may lead to overproduction and unless you are ready to keep pumping at regular intervals, do not even start. I have been through that phase in the past 2 weeks and I have tried not to pump yet, until the baby gets established in nursing and we have a rhythm going on.
Goodluck with your little one.

I would recommend seeking advice from a local lactation consultant. I'm not sure if there is someone local to you, but I'm pretty sure there is one in Austin.

I remember being told to not let my newborn (less than 6-8 weeks) sleep for more than 5 hours between feedings. Mine wasn't breastfeeding well, so it was important for me to wake him up.

I think getting to the point that you hurt because your breasts are extremely full may become a problem. You have to watch for mastitis (spelling?) and pumping should help. Mastitis (if I have this right) is an infection in your milk ducts, usually because a milk duct got clogged up. Keeping the milk flowing avoids getting clogged up.

The rule of thumb, as I understand it, is that the more your baby breastfeeds, the more your body will respond to satisfy that need. Likewise, as your baby weans (later on), typically, your body will respond by producing less milk.

Offhand, maybe you and your baby haven't sync'ed up yet or you both are still adjusting (it _is_ hard enough to keep up with a growing baby's needs any way you look at it!)

I think a lactation consultant would answer your biggest questions and may recommend a doctor visit.

Good luck!

Sounds like he's eating like a champ! If he wants to sleep for 5 hours at a time during the night, let him. Your milk will adjust, it just takes time. I only say this because he's eating so well and frequently during the day - so he's loading up. As he hits growth spurts, he'll need more and probably go back to waking up at shorter intervals. Your body is designed to synch up with his, so just be patient and go with the flow (not to mention enjoy the sleep)!