fewer night time feeds = drop in milk supply?

[flipflopson5thavenue]

Hi,
my DS is 6 months and have just started weaning (blw). The last couple of nights he's only fed once between 9pm and 5am. He normally would have fed at least twice during these hours and often feeds three times between 7-7.

I heard/read somewhere that its the night feeds that tell your body to produce milk. Something to do with hormones at night that don't have the same affect during the day. Not sure of the exact science.

I want to continue bfing at least until he's one and I go back to work, but last night I was lying awake staring at the ceiling, (waiting for him to wake up to feed...) worrying that if he carries on like this and drops his night feeds then my milk will dry up and I won't be able to carry on bfing :-(

I know I should be rejoicing at the prospect of more sleep but I'd rather have less sleep and more milk!

Am I worrying for nothing??

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Don't think your milk will dip in just one night. Your supply should be pretty robust by 6 months and he did feed at night, just less. Like most things with babies, I'd give it 3 days before you can start counting on more sleep. One night might just be a blip, sorry.

If you feel like you might want some more reassurance (and from somebody trained and not just an idiot on the Internet like me) I'd give one of the Bfing helplines a call.

[LIG1979]

I found that when dd decided to sleep through at 16 weeks I stopped feeling full over night yet would still feel full after a few hours of not feeding during the day. It seemed like my body knew that I didn't need to produce as much milk overnight. Similarly now at 25 weeks she has decided to started feeding again every few hours during the night my supply is still doing fine even if I am knackered

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

How was last night?

[flipflopson5thavenue]

fed once again... although at least this time I slept too! Am less worried today, am sure my boobs and my baby will work it out between them!