BF-To wake up baby to eat or not to

I posted this ealier on someone eles' thread and feel bad about it.  
To wake up baby to eat or not to.

Just want to make sure we are all talking about breast feeding. Since formula makes baby fuller.
Also, if you don't bf often or pump, doesn't your breast mik decrease?

[petanka]

Just plan on bringing your pump into the office with you, otherwise you may go crazy. You may need to pump once or twice during the day. My DD has never been on a tight schedule. Not because I did not want to, she just was not a scheduled baby. She would eat every two or so hours, day/night and sometimes she would eat more, sometimes less. Sometimes she would fall a sleep on me before I even switch her to the other one...you will establish your schedule...don't worry!

[twiceadopt]

we found the opposite.. pumping increased the supply. as to waking baby to eat, it depends on how well s/he is gaining weight. if she's falling asleep right after starting a feed, tickle her under the chin enough to get her to eat a good meal. if she's gaining weight fine, dont worry about it.

[AndiJ78]

During the first 4 weeks, wake baby up if they sleep longer than three hours when nursing. I posted above about pumping, some pumps are better at keeping up supplies, while others simply empty a full breast and do nothing to help with supply.

Andi

[twinsmommy]

It's true, some pumps are better and you need to do it regularly, just like breastfeeding or your supply will go down. When my son came home from the NICU they told me to wake him if he slept for more than 4 hours, but I only did this for a couple of weeks until he was a bit bigger/stronger.
But you know, if you have gestational diabetes they also tell you not to leave more than 4 hours during meals (we're talking during the day of course) or your bloodsugar gets to low. It's the same principle!

[stephd]

I wouldnt either way....BF or bottle feed.  Good luck.  I think everyone pretty much does what they think is right!  You'll know once Gavin is born!!

[HIS GIFT TO US]

Bf ds for 8mo, I never ever woke him up tp eat, he was on auto by waking up every2hrs for milk :( I though I'd never sleep 3hrs a roll again :) LOL Hon u just need to enjoy & sleep some yourself while baby is snoozing :)

[HIS GIFT TO US]

I pumped like crazy (he would stay attached all day if I would have let him LOL) everyone told me not to pump that it would decrease mk but I couldn't tell a diff & I pumped alot more than I actually bf since we were on the go alot. DRink lots of water.

[petanka]

I never did wake up my DD and I was BF for 13 months. I was glad she was sleeping and I was getting rest. She had no problem gaining wait and was always in the 95% + chart. You will figure out once he  is her!

[DollChina]

I just want to make sure if I am not on a schedule, I won't interfere with my milk production.  I will need to pump a lot since I plan on going back to work in Jan.
I think will bottle feed breast milk during the day and breast feed at night once I return to the office.

[pinkplease]

pumping decreases milk it increases when you put the baby on more. i taught bf for 5 yrs and have been to many bf courses so i can teach. you can also pump after you feed and 30 min after you feed to increase but the baby will always make more milk the pump cant latch on like your baby.

[DollChina]

So, do you think my return to the office plan will work since I will just pump during the day.  Will I have enough milk to feed my baby?

[deanne11]

never woke up my baby...i let her sleep as long as she wanted.
by 3 mos she was sleeping 7p-4a....I loved it.

[deanne11]

and i always had enough milk for when the peanut wanted it.

i nursed for 9mos no problem.

[HIS GIFT TO US]

Hope this helps as the others were saying about a pump & your supply, I was able to use the evenflo single from walmart (very cheap)& I pumped like crazy starting after we were home just a few days & I had plenty of milk, he was actaully getting fat :)_(double pump was slower 4 me) I pumped probably more than most people (I never bf around people or out in public so needless to say pumpimg was an everyday thing for me) :)  Good Luck! I 'm sure as long as u drink lots & keep taking your prenatal vit. once u go back to work pumping will be fine, just get a pump that isn't hard to clean since you'll be on the go w/ it at work, most have a case w/ em, I always  took several dish towels to wk w/ me so I could clean it & dry it good :)

[twinsmommy]

Hey, I had the same problem. 28weeker, so I pumped and pumped and had a freezer full of milk and it went great until I started bf in the hospital around 34 weeks. He was still too small to nurse well and only took like 8ml so I ended up going home 1.5 hour later with painful breasts and still had to pump. A baby in the NICU is on the strict 3hour schedule so they bottlefed him the next time and then it was my turn again. Needless to say this messed up my complete schedule, I could only pump every 5 hours and my milksupply decreased dramatically. By the time he came home he only nursed a little bit and then wanted the bottle because it was easier so I kept pumping but recently had to give up completely. I'm just happy that with all the frozen milk he could get only bm until 3 months adjusted and he will have a bottle a day until he gets 6 m. We do what we can, right?

[Momoftwogirls]

Depends how old the baby is...in those first weeks, they may not wake up to eat but NEED to...then I would say it is important. Later on - SLEEP!  =-)

[anxiousmomtobe?]

I say feed on demand, unless your health care provider tells you otherwise.  I BF my son for 18 months.  Iown my own company and returned to work immediately.  (He came with me)  I also had great success with the Medela Pump in Style.  I didn't have luck with the manuel pumps at all and I tried several.

The most important thing is relax, enjoy this blessed time.  
He or she will soon be 15 and driving you nuts.

[twinsmommy]

to mum2beagain:
I learned that the first time with the twins. With a preemie it's more important to know how much they are drinking. And it saved me actually time! I just hated the "o what a small baby - yes he was a bit early - but you are not bf him? -  yes I am... there is bm in this bottle" every time I went out. I also think that some baby's you can force a bit to take the breast, but when my son got too tired he would desat and I wouldn't take that risk when I got home without the monitors...

to all:
By the way, I used the Ameda Purely Yours. I tried the Medela Pump in Style the second time because they had it in the hospital, but it didn't work for me. The Purely yours from Ameda is the only FDA approved breast pump because of the unique collection system that prevents milk to backup in the tubes. It's also cheaper and the lactation consultants recommended it to me. It's just not so well known because they don't advertise as much as Medela... I got the pump (it's a double electric) with car adaptor, manual pump adaptor handle and backpack for 180$ two years ago)

[emma10]

Pumping is a doctor-recommended way to increase your milk supply; that's why hospitals rent the pumps. The organization www.lalecheleague.com is a non=profit pro=BF organization with lots of information and referrals in your area, if anyone needs help/advice from the experts. Sudden increases or decreases in milk demand may be hard to respond to immediately but will adjust if you keep it up, generally.  The situations described in the list here with preemies etc. seem exceptional to me in how their situation turned out so badly. Most women, going to work, etc. can dopumping/bf-ing with breast in evenings.  While a baby's suction can empty a breast easier than pumps, the pump still is recognized as additional demand, to which body responds with making more milk.

[DollChina]

Thank you so much for all the helpful information and sharing your experiences!  I will take all your advises into consideration.  I plan on using the Medela pump and Iheard that's one on the best models around.
Now, I just have to wait for Gavin to get here....