Baby sleeping through and engorgement

[mike40033]

Hi!

Our Matthew - see http://www.dr-mikes-maths.com/thotz/index.php?itemid=45 - is now two months old - he's showing signs that soon he might sleep through the night - so we tried an experiment last night.

When he stirs at night, we just leave him alone, and not feed him - unless he actually cries. Last night he slept from 9 until 3, much longer than usual, without a feed.

The problem with this is my wife's breasts become too full, so she can't sleep. We have a good breast pump, but she still loses sleep.

My question is - if Matthew learns to sleep through the night, will my wife also start to get a good night's sleep? Or will she have to wake up every night to express milk, until the boy is weaned? I hope not!

Any advice / experiences / tips are welcome!

[Karizma]

I dont have any advice sorry, but I had to say that Matthew is so so so so gorgeous... :hugs:

[SilverStarfish]

First up :smiliedance: yeay for another Dad on Bubhub!

The short answer is yes, things will get better :)

Goosie seems to be our resident expert in all things boobies, so I'm sure she'll post soon and give you all the details.

Good luck, and congrats on your baby! He's adorable.

[bec79]

Ohh, I remember those painful nights...I couldn't even roll onto my side they would me that bad. DF brushing up against me sent me into fits of nasty words....

Thankfully, your wifes "milk makers" will regulate (for lack of a better word) themsleves. A womans supply works on a supply and demand type system. It may take a few days for your wifes supply to adjust to your little mans demand. IYKWIM.
In the mean-time I would suggest expressing a small amount to make her more comfortable...but not so much to promote more supply.

[Areca]

Ohh, I remember those painful nights...I couldn't even roll onto my side they would me that bad. DF brushing up against me sent me into fits of nasty words....

Thankfully, your wifes "milk makers" will regulate (for lack of a better word) themsleves. A womans supply works on a supply and demand type system. It may take a few days for your wifes supply to adjust to your little mans demand. IYKWIM.
In the mean-time I would suggest expressing a small amount to make her more comfortable...but not so much to promote more supply.

Ditto

[mike40033]

Thanks. This is all very reassuring!

How long did it take to settle supply vs demand? Do you remember?

Yours, Mike H...

[bekkyboo]

Garrett is almost 3 months. We have cut out a night feed (replaced with reflux formula) and he is sleeping through 1 feed, and and hour past the next.

It has taken a week or so for mine to settle. Was given some tips to reduce supply...

Wear a firm fitting bra (but not too tight around the sides)
reduce fluids
express for comfort, not all (as others have said it would encourage supply to increase).

those bad nights i would get up and hand express alittle into the bathroom sink, just enough so they werent rock solid - and then go back to bed.

Hope everything evens out soon.

[Goosie22]

Hi,

The supply = demand rule will kick in soon and things will settle down. The production of Prolactin (milk production hormone) is increased if there is at least one feed overnight, this also plays apart in Lactational Amenorrhea. So cutting out night feeds early has other effects.

One thought though, why not put the baby to the breast (as you wife is awake anyway) while asleep instead of the breastpump, money cant buy you a better breastdrainer, this way the baby may sleep to 5 with the extra feed (some people call it a dream feed) and your wife will get even more sleep.

G:)

[Seekrit]

Goosie speaks the truth!
Every now and then, when I'm super tired, I dreamfeed Cobey to ensure he sleeps a bit longer for me ;)
(and he sleeps so well that I can even change his nappy as he lays in the land of nod so that way a wet nap won't wake him even)

[Mummy_Johnno]

My son has slept through now for about 2 weeks and it is HEAVEN :yelclap: . I also was worried about feeding and having sore engorged boobs.

For about 3 nights i woke with a 'wet spot' as my boobs were so full they leaked. After that they just seemed to not do it and Lucas has an awesome morning meal in bed with me each day.

They still are quite full in the morning but not enough to be uncomfortable or leak during the night.

Good luck and it is really good to have another man in BH.