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Original poster

4-month baby - expressing at night?

13 replies

MeganLowena · 02/08/2017 10:14

DS is now almost 16 weeks old and has just started sleeping through the night (hooray!) He'll go from about 10.30pm to 7am happily. I took him to be weighed yesterday and the HV said he's dropped off the 75th centile line (he's now between 75 and 50) and it's probably because my milk supply is suffering due to not night feeding. However, he's only been doing this for about a week so I find it unlikely this is what's made the difference. She said I need to set an alarm for the middle of the night to express. Is anyone else doing this? I know the HV probably knows best but to me it seems a bit unnatural - surely DS and my body should be working in sync?

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

HandbagFan · 02/08/2017 11:32

I expressed for 9m and for 6 of those included a night time pump. Your body produces milk best if there is a release between 1-4am - all about weird body things but your supply will be higher throughout the day if you pump then. I guess if your bf then there's usually a feed at that point but the kellymom website explains it better than me. It was the best way of keeping my supply up but it did kill me leaving a sleeping baby to go pump!

Original poster

MeganLowena · 02/08/2017 21:38

Yes it's a bit galling having to wake up when the baby is finally sleeping!

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MoHunter · 03/08/2017 00:38

WTF, I've never heard any HV advising to pump in the middle of the night. No way, unless baby drops two centile lines there is no cause for concern!? Some fluctuation is perfectly normal and it's not like your baby is underweight.
Personally I'd enjoy the sleep!! Unless there's any underlying medical condition then baby will wake up when he's hungry.
Maybe just add an extra feed in the day if possible, or pump one breast first thing in the morning while baby is feeding on the other if you feel you must express? But one centile drop really doesn't warrant such drastic action! When is your next weigh-in?
As long as baby is happy and content I really wouldn't worry.

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vlooby · 03/08/2017 00:39

I only pumped in this situation if I was uncomfortable...

Original poster

MeganLowena · 03/08/2017 07:42

My logic is that if he's dropping serious weight and is hungry, surely he'll just start waking up in the night again? She freaked me out a bit by saying that if my supply reduces I'll never be able to get it back.

He'll be weighed again in four weeks' time, so I might just keep and eye on things until then, and see how he does at that weighing. Chances are, the sleeping through probably won't last anyway so I'll have been worrying about nothing!

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Floozie66 · 03/08/2017 08:00

Just ignore - slight weight variations are normal as baby becomes more active. Baby will wake you of hungry! He / she may now be building up your daytime supply so you may find yourself feeding more frequently for longer for a period of time

MoHunter · 03/08/2017 08:58

if my supply reduces I'll never get it back
Sorry what utter nonsense, unless you're supplementing with formula there is no reason your milk supply should just go! I assume baby is still feeding regularly during the day?
If your HV was right that would mean no baby would be allowed to sleep through at 4 months??
Slight weight gain reduction can be due to all sorts - e.g. baby getting more mobile (rolling over).
Yeah in your case I would not listen to the advice, if baby is content and you get sleep win=win See what the next weigh-in brings.

nuttyknitter · 03/08/2017 09:04

Breastfeeding has worked purely on supply and demand since humans evolved, and long before breast pumps were invented! Keep feeding lots in the day and it should balance out.

Original poster

MeganLowena · 03/08/2017 09:36

Thanks everyone! It's really good to hear some alternative perspectives as this is my first baby so I have no prior experience. I asked my mum and she said she never pumped, and it was fine. As you say nuttyknitter, people managed before they were invented!

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Original poster

MeganLowena · 03/08/2017 09:38

And yes MoHunter, he's still feeding lots (possibly a little more) in the daytime so I assume he's just making up for it that way.

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archersfan3 · 03/08/2017 17:21

I had a variety of advice from HVs, some of which was really not that helpful with hindsight. They were trying their best but just didn't quite have the expertise to help me properly (my baby did have genuine issues with feeding/weight gain). It does sound like they may be overreacting a bit in your caes but if you would like some more reassurance maybe phone one of the breastfeeding support helplines (there's a list on the NHS website)? They gave me all sorts of helpful suggestions that the HVs hadn't mentioned.

Original poster

MeganLowena · 03/08/2017 21:59

Embarrassingly, I didn't actually know that there are helplines - thanks for the pointer!

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archersfan3 · 04/08/2017 07:05

Here is the list of numbers: I called one of the first two but can't remember which one now. They were very helpful and I wish I'd called them sooner.

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/breastfeeding-help-support.aspx

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