Breastfeeding issue - baby sleeping longer night stretches

[2021expecting]

Hi,

The title sounds like what I was wishing for weeks ago, but I've ran into some supply issues 🤦‍♀️

I'm looking for advice on how to adapt my supply to baby sleeping longer stretches at night. He's 3 months old and was waking every 2 hours to feed, now he's started sleeping for one 5 hour stretch at the start of the night for 3 consecutive nights.

I developed a painful milk blockage/potential mastitis 2 days ago that is only easing slightly now and wanting to know:

1. If there's any way of adapting my milk supply to go 5 hours without a feed? Or will I have to wake up and pump?

1. Will these 5 hour stretches affect my day supply? Daytime I feed on demand every 2 hours or less, with good weight gain.

Thanks in advance 😀

Your body will adapt to your baby’s changing needs. Gaps in feeding that long can kick start ovulation so make sure if your having sex that you are using contraception unless you want another baby.

No need to wake up and pump! It's perfectly normal for babies to start having longer and longer stretches at night without a feed. Your supply will adapt and will remain exactly what your baby needs. Your daytime supply will be absolutely fine too. Any blockages will settle down as your supply adapts.

It will adapt on its own. If you’re uncomfortable though, and he only feeds one side at the next feed, I’d express the other side so you aren’t in pain. It should adjust pretty quickly though.