3 month old sleeping through the night - but I wake up engorged. Help?!

Mhairi - posted on 06/18/2009

Quoting Hannah:


To me getting her to sleep is more important than my sleep right now. Research has shown that at three months they are getting use to their schedule, and it is important to set a night time routine...personally I would not want to wake up 3-4 times a night when she is older.

I had no idea this is the age that they set their schedule - Thanks so much for the tip!!!! I'll definitley let him sleep through from now on.

Thanks so much for your responses!! I had been expressing, but it seemed to be making my supply worse. I think I must have been expressing too much.

Unfortunately, I can't use cold towels or cabbage leaves for relief as I also suffer from nipple Vaso-spasm, so my breasts cannot get cold (Yes I've had a whole range of issues, but by process of elimination we're sorting them out). 

You've been fantastic, thanks guys!!

Oh and Lauchlan will thank you too ;-)

Beth - posted on 06/18/2009

I was having the same problem (even though my son was waking and nursing once evry night) I pumped a little bit (just enough take the edge off) and now 2 months later it's not a problem at all.

Hannah - posted on 06/18/2009

My 2 month old sleeps like a champ too (7-8 hours before her next feed), and I have an over supply as well. If I wake up before her I pump one side until the spray stops, and just a nudge off the side I plan to feed her on (I am normally full enough at night that one side is almost too much). I then store and freeze the milk. Everyone I talk to says that you cannot store up enough. The only problem with pumping at night is that is when your milk production hormones are at their peak...which compounds your over supply issue. There was a time when I could get my daughter to latch and eat while she was still asleep, but that time has passed.

To me getting her to sleep is more important than my sleep right now. Research has shown that at three months they are getting use to their schedule, and it is important to set a night time routine...personally I would not want to wake up 3-4 times a night when she is older.

Good luck, and no matter what you do it will be a good decision!

Amber - posted on 06/18/2009

I wouldnt wake the baby to feed. If you are feeling engorged pump and freeze the milk.

Amber - posted on 06/18/2009

I agree with Melanie I wish my baby would sleep he is 5 months and still gets up 2-3 times a night if he slept like that no way would I wake him, but really it is up to you. You are mom and what feels right to you is what is the right thing to do. Sorry to hear you are in pain though that feeling is horrible. You could always pump a little till you aren't in pain and hopefully it won't last long. Personally I have struggled with my supply so I would pump and freeze the milk I wish I over produced, but I know the pain isn't good.

Melanie - posted on 06/18/2009

If it were me, I wouldn't wake up the baby. It may a) undo a good thing you have going with him sleeping through the night b) stimulate your breasts to continue producing milk in the night. In fact, this is why your supply may not have regulated itself yet. Those with oversupply tend to be more sensitive to any stimulation of the breasts. If you are in pain, then I'd do what worked in the beginning when your milk came in to get relieve: cold towels, cabbage leaves or manually express JUST ENOUGH to relieve the pressure. Hope this helps!

Melanie - posted on 06/18/2009

If it were me, I wouldn't wake up the baby. It may a) undo a good thing you have going with him sleeping through the night b) stimulate your breasts to continue producing milk in the night. In fact, this is why your supply may not have regulated itself yet. Those with oversupply tend to be more sensitive to any stimulation of the breasts. If you are in pain, then I'd do what worked in the beginning when your milk came in to get relieve: cold towels, cabbage leaves or manually express JUST ENOUGH to relieve the pressure. Hope this helps!