pumping after night feeds

[nyldn]

FTM and DS is 7 weeks. We've had a rough start to bf. he couldn't latch and I exclusively pumped for the first 3 weeks until he was diagnosed with a posterior tongue tie. We were able to have this divided right away. he still wouldnt latch so we worked with shields and he finally started latching at 4 weeks. I had to pump and feed him by bottle overnight until 6 weeks because he would get so aggravated, but it appears that he is now exclusively on the breast.

He's also now been prescribed ranitidine for reflux which had him pulling off (prematurely, I suspect) screaming and ending feeds.

he only takes one breast per feed. I offer the other and he's never interested. I understand this could change and I'll continue to offer but my problem is this... He seems to now feed at 10:30-11, 3 and 6:30-7. If he feeds from my left breast at 10:30 and then not again until 6:30 should I be pumping that breast after the 3cm feed?

Besides discomfort, will it decrease my supply not to? I'm worried that it took so much work (and so many tears) for us to finally get here, I don't want it to end early due to a mistake that affects supply.

thanks!

My LO always did one boob at a time at the start and fed roughly the same pattern - I never pumped! Boobs are clever they just adapt. I used to try to switch sides so one day the 3am feed was in the left, the next day on the right.

I'm not an expert, but I would have thought pumping the left at 3am, if he's fed from it at 10.30 and then will feed again at 6.30, that it would increase your supply...

I couldn't get on with expressing milk so not sure really but didn't want to read and run. Breast feeding can be really tough so hope this reply gives you a bump and someone out there is a pump genius

Just a random after thought, I was always told to continue the next feed with the boob that I had used at the last feed. Reason being to make sure that all the hind milk was being used up before moving on to the fore milk on the new boob. But then mine fed quite every three hours at that age and took aaaages so prob needed to do that because he was a difficult customer.

Another point, the reflux meds can cause constipation and end up being a bit of a nightmare (for some, others I know have had great success). You haven't mentioned it but I'm sure you've already explored the infacol/gripe water fun. My DS had silent reflux and me drinking fennel tea helped him a bit, although it made me want to vomit!

I only feed from one boob at a time and always have (DS1 is 6 wks) as DS1 is a really efficient feeder and drains my boobs in record time. I offer the second boob but he's never interested. I pump once or twice a day so DH can give the odd bottle but that's it. I always make sure I alternate boobs with each feed and pump and aside from the occasional uncomfortable night, my boobs have been fine. I wouldn't pump any more as I think that would increase my supply.