night feeds - how to give up a feed at night, without exploding or losing supply?

[notsolilKel]

Hi

I'm about to give birth again and wondering if I can avoid some problems I had with BF last time. In particular, does anyone manage to get a break at night??

I want DH to be able to do a night feed, preferrably with EBM.

Problem is, I'd have to get up anyway to express while DH feeds or else suffer exploding breasts by early morning. If I don't express, supply goes wacky. Plus it's a pain trying to find the right time to express the milk ahead of time for that night.

I wouldn't mind using formula instead of ebm at night, but I'd still have the issue of engorgement and having to pump in the night.

Any ideas here? Thanks!!

Is cosleeping an option? I did it with both my DSes for the early months, and it worked very well. I got more sleep while they were in my bed, than I did once they were out.

Would avoid not doing night feeds for least the first 3 months though - that could totally muck up breastfeeding in itself. I agree aboout feeding baby in bed and sleeping at the same time.

What were your problems last time?

Cosleeping not an option for us, personally. Will have baby in moses basket next to my side of the bed for as long as possible.

Problems last time began at birth - DS was in special care and needed formula top ups from day 2/3 as my EBM wasn't enough in his condition. When we got home I cut out the formula but soon had to go back to it on occasion as my supply was erratic. Then mastitis set in along with reflux in DS which made every feed a nightmare.

Guess I could try skipping a feed at night and just expressing briefly if need be to ease pressure.

I've just dropped doing my night feeds a couple of weeks ago. Mega engorgement for a couple of days, but my body sorted itself out eventually.
You could try expressing an extra feed in the morning, when you are at your fullest?

Liz - how old is your LO? the pic in your profile is gorgeous!!

Ah - thanks! He is 18 weeks. Your photos are lovely too. Where is the print from in the background? (behind the sofa) its really nice!

I didn't 'co-sleep' as such - I had a cradle beside my bed too. When baby needed fed I brought them into bed and fed them lying down and often we both fell asleep. I would wake again and klift sleeping baby back into the cradle. The thing about night feeds is that you either need to catch some sleep while you do them, or catch up on sleep during the day. Bbaies need to feed at night in the early days to stimulate milk production. The hormone prolactin is higher at night and that stimulates supply combined with breastfeeding. Once baby is about 8 weeks old, production is not so dependant on prolactin but effective milk removal and regular feeds.

Your next baby may be completely different and not naturally need night feeds for as long. See what pattern you are going to get before trying to pre-empt something that may not be a problem IYSWIM?

Mears - see your point. I know I'm completely overthinking things, just bored off my arse waiting for the baby, now that everything has been scrubbed, shined, reorganised, and polished (twice) . Its helpful to know that the first couple months' night feeds are so crucial to supply. By skipping them earlier on I probably added to my troubles before.

Lizz- the print is actually one of my own paintings (studied art before I converted to the Dark Side / finance). Thanks v much for the compliment !. I'm always joking when I retire I can paint again but till then, I need a real living....

BTW - love both your pics

Maybe it will be different this time round? My ds was in SCBU for 2 months and I expressed for him, but was getting far more than he needed and had a very very painful week when he came home and was ex bf. Since then have had very erratic supply, breasts burstingly full for a few days and then feeling empty for days, has only just settled down now and ds is 9 months (bfing twice a day). Just wondering if this is related to exclusive expressing in those early days so no regulation of milk supply from baby? Hope it all works out for you, good luck!