How long can you go without expressing/feeding without affecting milk supply?

[Needtosleep123]

Hi, I have a 8wk old baby who still feeds almost continuously all day long (or at least it feels like that!) but then is often capable of sleeping about 6-7 hours at night .. I always wake up after about 4 hours with painful boobs and either wake baby or recently have been expressing .. but lack of sleep beginning to get to me especially as suffered severe back pain when pg so haven't slept properly for ages and have 2 other demanding dc to cope with.
I hate expressing especially in the middle of the night .. and I know I should count my lucky stars I have a baby who actually sleeps quite well at night (other two dc never did!).. but am desperate for sleep. If I stop expressing would the pain eventually go away and would I be able to go such a long time without feeding and still have plenty of milk the rest of the time?

Yes - you are telling your breasts that your baby is awake at that time and needing a feed so they are making enough milk for it. I wouldn't just stop though, it will probably still wake you up, so hand express just enough into the sink (or a bowl or bottle if you want) to take the pressure off and go back to sleep. After a few days it should get better as they adjust.

Your breasts will adjust to what your baby needs, as long as you don't stop her from feeding when she wants to. My DS slept 7 hours from about 5 weeks and my supply has been fine