Long sleeps! Are they a problem for supply?

[pinkie]

Pinky,

You have answered a similar question about long sleeps at night and suggested expressing to keep up supply.

My 8 day old baby was fed at 6:30 last night and then slept through from 7pm till 2:30am so it was 8 hours between feeds. When she did feed, she only had 10 mins on one breast and 5 on the other. I expressed both breasts afterwards but was only able to get 15mls out of each one.

If I don't express before going to bed myself, will it effect my supply? She normally feeds every 3 hrs or so during the day.

Also, just wondering why it's so important to make sure she empties one breast before being offered the other. What could happen if she doesn't do this?

[Pinky McKay]

Hello Pinkie, ( wow! almost a namesake!)

It really is best for babies not to sleep too long a stretch, too early but please remember that each baby is an individual. If your baby is gaining weight and having wet nappies there is no reason to worry about your supply.

Re the length of night feeds, your baby sounds like an efficient little feeder so I wouldnt be too worried.

You dont achieve anything by expressing after a feed unless you are feeling uncomfortable or you really need to increase your supply - so enjoy your sleep!

However, if you are concerned, to maintain your supply, you could express a bit before you go to bed if you like for a week or two just to be sure and keep up the stimulation.

Re 'emptying' the first side first - (your breasts are never really 'empty') - this is instead of the old fashioned advice of arbitrary times of a certain number of minutes each side - instead of watching the clock, watch your baby for signs she is slowing her sucking before switching sides. This way she will get a good fat content in her milk - milk composition is transitional throughout a feed so by limiting time at each side, your baby will get mostly foremilk which is more watery and higher in lactose so she may become unsettled with tummy pains. If you allow your baby to regulate her own feeds she will get exactly the milk she needs at each feed and will be more satisfied and content.

Pinky