Due to issues with breastfeeding I have been exclusively pumping for almost two weeks. DD will turn 6 weeks tomorrow and I am expecting a growth spurt any day. I have been pumping 8-10 times a day in order to maintain my supply - I try to pump every hour in the day with one nighttime session. On a good day I currently manage to get one feed more than DD needs, sometimes less if she's particularly hungry. I now have 500ml in the freezer. DD consumes about 120ml per feed. I am quite exhausted and DREADING the growth spurt. I have a few questions for anyone who can answer them:
- By how much will her needs increase during a growth spurt? I know it's impossible to tell when breastfeeding but does anyone have any idea when it comes to pumping?
- How do you cope during a growth spurt? Is it wise to supplement with the milk stored in the freezer and then to just pump more often to make up for it?
- When would it be recommended to finally relax and just follow the baby's lead when it comes to pumping, i.e. pump when she asks for it?
- Would it ever be wise to ever drop the nighttime feed if she starts sleeping through the night?
Any help appreciated! I am clueless.