pumping in the middle of the night..necessary??

[carolines mama]

My dd sleeps (most nights) 7-9 hour stretches. is it necessary for me to get up in the middle of the night to pump?
If i don't will my milk supply still stay good? Does anyone have any suggestions/advice? i sure could use the sleep...

[kjab]

Hopefully not!  How old is baby?

[Purplecattypants]

No you dont need to pump in the night...your body will get used to the times it needs to produce milk, therefore will have it ready for when baby feeds in the day iykwim! The body is very clever yunno  If you pump at night and then stop, you will continue to overproduce at this time as your body will think its needed. Not pumping at night will not mean you have less in the day. Best to just let nature handle things 

Well done on having such a good lo who sleeps! 

[carolines mama]

thanks for the help! one more question. i am leaving next week for four days. i will be pumping the whole
time to keep up my milk supply. should i pump at night until i return to keep up my supply...or is this not
necessary either. as you can see, i am paranoid that i will return with no milk supply...aacckk!

[Purplecattypants]

I would say in general its probably not needed, but to be on the safe side if you happen to wake in the night i.e for a wee, you could pump then, or if you wake because you're full. In general if the baby isnt feeding in the night normally then I dount not pumping will make a huge difference. I'm not 100% certain about that maybe one of the mods has some suggestions?

[Samuel's mum]

I don't think it's needed if baby usually doesn't feed at night. But to be honest if you know yourself to be anxious - whether or not it's justified - and pumping at night will make you feel better, then you should do it.

I would just add though - that if your pump isn't great and/or you never manage to pump very much and you struggle to get a letdown - then I probably would add in another session at night.

[Purplecattypants]

Thanks Emma I was hoping you'd swing past! 

[carolines mama]

thanks ladies! i do have a really great pump. and i usually get between 3 and 5 oz. each time i pump...usually for around 6 or 7 minutes.
is this alot or a little?
you are right...i am anxious and i probably should do it just to be safe
does a medela pump 'n style usually do good in keeping milk supply up for an extended period like this?
i know i need to relax...i just will be very sad if i get back and i have no milk

[Samuel's mum]

3 and 5oz sounds fine

Medela pump in style is about as good as pumps get. Top class - you'll be fine