Baby starting to sleep through the night - effect supply?

[LittleAmy]

My baby is 3 months and she's started sleeping for 7 hours at night. I've pumped halfway through each night because I've heard that if you do not stimulate your breasts at night you will lose supply. The result is that I haven't slept for longer than 4 hours in 14 weeks.

My 3 month old has slept 7 hours at night since about 6 weeks, and my supply has been fine. I'd enjoy the sleep if I were you!

I did get my period back at 6 weeks though.

My DD1 slept 10-7 from 7 weeks with no impact on my supply.
Don't get up and pump - your baby is probably feeding very efficiently in the day and by 3 months your supply must be pretty well established.

Why have I read that the high prolactin levels at night must be exploited?

I think it's probably more important in the first few weeks when breastfeeding is being established, or if you have supply issues.

Once breastfeeding is well established (around 6 weeks?), baby is gaining weight well and there are no problems, it's fine to just feed on demand.

For example - if you tried to feed your baby on an old-fashioned 20 minute feed every four hours routine and limited night feeds, that would impact your supply.

Don't get up and pump, sleep through as your baby does. I asked exactley the same question some months back and the advise was spot on. On the occassion my DD did wake there was always enough milk for her, your body is very clever and will adjust without diverse effects.

Who knows? I think whoever makes up the "rules" about breastfeeding kind of overthinks things. DD1 never fed more than once at night and I had too much milk if anything. If you're feeding on demand (and the baby is demanding a decent amount) that should surely be enough.

Get some sleep!

Your supply will adjust to your DD's changing needs. You might find that your breasts feel very full when you both wake in the morning but your baby will be hungry too.

I think it's amazing how breastfeeding works like that! Even when I dropped down to one feed per 24 hours when mine were toddlers, the milk was still there when required!

:)

Please get some sleep. As others have said your supply will be fine and your body will adjust. All three of mine were sleeping through up to 12 hours a night by 12 weeks. My supply remained v good and they continued to feed well and sleep well.

NIght feeds are most important in the first 6 weeks when supply is getting established. Ds1 stopped feeding at night at 14 weeks and I continued to feed him until 15 months with no problems what so ever. However, my periods did return 4 weeks after he stopped night feeds :(