Adjusting when not feeding as much at night.

[Proud Mammy]

I hope this makes sense... I've checked here and on couple of other sites for an answer but haven't come up with anything, so hoping you fabulous ladies might be able to share some knowledge.

So my DS turned 16wks this wk. For almost a month, he's been going down to bed between 7-8 in the evening. I was continuing doing the DF for first few weeks and then decided to see how long he'd go if I didn't wake him for it. He's been doing great and has adjusted very well. In the last couple of nights he has gone until 1:30 and then last night he actually slept all the way through to 4:30 before waking!!! Woo-hoo!!!
So here's my question/dilemma. I'm feeling uncomfortably full when he's stretching out the time between nighttime feeds. What do I do for this? I don't want to end up with plugged ducts (just had it once) or with mastitis (thankfully and luckily have avoided this so far, so would hate to fall prey to it now).
Should I be pumping to relieve fullness? - surely this negates the benefit of him sleeping for longer?
Also, we had wanted to TTC straight away for #2, but I was so pleased with how well BF was going that we decided to kinda leave it in the laps of the Gods to see if it happened for us while BF. From my research (and answers from you guys), I know I've a better chance of getting pregnant if going a longer stretch between feeds. This makes me quite excited that DS is going longer at nighttime as I feel it might happen for us!! (AF not back yet)

So, what should I do re the uncomfortable fullness? ....nothing? And it'll settle down??
Thanks in advance!! ...love this site for all the knowledge I pick up here !

[becj86]

It'll settle down in time. If you keep pumping, you're telling your body to keep making milk - so its not going to help with regulating your supply. If you're really uncomfortable though, just hand express a little to be comfortable. Keep an eye out for plugged ducts and your supply should start adapting within a week or so.

Oh, and as for wanting AF to come back, I got it exactly 4 months PP as DS' nights stretched out... not to say you will too, but its possible

[atlantamomofthree]

Hi and welcome to BW! 

I agree that your supply will adjust on its own, so keep nursing pads in a comfortable bra while sleeping and enjoy the extra rest!

Good luck on ttc.  Here's a support thread you may be interested in: http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=88996.0

[Chicane]

It took me a about a week of uncomfortable nights before it settled down. It its really bad hop in a hot bath for some soothing.

As far as TTC - remember you don't need AF to start in order to start ovulating - the ovulation can start way before AF comes along - so you can get pregnant while BFing and without AF.

[Proud Mammy]

Thanks for replies ladies.
Atlanta - thanks for that link. Checked it out this aft while DS was having his sleep. Will finish going thru it tonight...some great stories to give hope on it. Wasn't straight forward for #1 (15 mths TTC & had started attending a specialist) and was hoping my body would have "sorted itself out" after the pregnancy (you know the way you hear these things happening)!!!

Yes, now that I think on it again, of course it makes sense that if I pump to get rid of "fullness" I'm just telling my body to keep producing same amount-duh, proud mammy !! Isn't it just such an amazing process how our bodies "know" when to produce more for our babies and less when required too. BF is just THE BEST!!!! Love it, love it, LOVE IT!!!!

[Chicane]

Isn't it just such an amazing process how our bodies "know" when to produce more for our babies and less when required too. BF is just THE BEST!!!! Love it, love it, LOVE IT!!!!

I know! We stopped BF around 4 months ago but I still get tingles in my boobs. Did you also know that not only do our bodies adjust the amount but we also change the chemical makeup of the milk so that the baby is getting the right nutrients at the right time - newborn milk is totally different to 12 month milk. And I still find it awesome that we can feed our babies, everything they need for so long...boobs rock!