Engorged breasts at night - HELP!

Have you tried pumping only when they are feeling full, but not pumping as much as little one would feed. This may help your body slow down a bit so you dont get mastitis etc x

@Hannah Do you mean during the night? I could take a pump upstairs and pump just a little when they are feeling full - great idea - thanks!

Who told you it’ll help them sleep longer? That’s not a professional advice. The reason would be it’s more difficult to digest hence formula stays in baby stomach longer and they don’t wake up for feed. It’s not guaranteed they’ll sleep though as well. Either way your engorged breast are the result of formula feed. I’d not get myself into formula trap (read about it) I’d keep breastfeeding baby exclusively x

I had a problem with engorged boobs and turned out pumping was making it worse- I switched to a hand pump and just pumped a little when needed for relief and my body soon readjusted. Also I EBF and my little one sleeps the night around 9 hours I just do a slightly shorter feed second to last then he has a really big feed before bed . Wake up with full boobs but it’s manageable, took my body a few days to adjust when he started sleeping through- it’s all a bit trial and error hope you find the right combo soon x

@Evelina how would engorgement be a *result* of supplementing with formula? What about formula feeding is a “trap”?

I’d say that the pumping right before bed to empty isn’t a bad idea and likely isn’t the reason in causing your body to make more milk right then as it physiologically doesn’t follow a schedule like that so strictly. Unfortunately the body just produces more prolactin (thus, more milk) through the night with the peak of that happening around 4am. I’d echo what some others commented and just pump a bit at some point through the night to ease some pressure but it wouldn’t have to be a full session

@Annie because your breasts have to adjust the baby not feeding at night, so your breasts are still preparing that night time feed. Also if she's pumping at night she might be pumping more than the baby was feeding which would increase the overnight supply needed. Your body does adjust to changing feeding schedules, It just takes time. And I think by trap she means not having the ability to breastfeed anytime anywhere, having some kind of reliance on formula and having to ensure that you have bottles and formula prepped at all times. Obligatory nothing wrong with formula feeding, but one of the perks of nursing is that you do always have a supply on hand.

So from what I’ve been told you should pump whenever baby feeds only so your body knows to make milk at that time. I’m assuming since you’ve been bf throughout the night your body is already used to making the milk at the times you would feed. If you aren’t planing on feeding or wanting to produce more milk I’d suggest maybe a milk catcher like a Hakka to empty your breasts a little and make you feel more comfortable but not necessarily have the pumping so your not signaling your body to make more milk. I struggled when we started giving a bottle to my lo at night and did end up getting mastitis so just be careful maybe talk to a lactation consultant and see what they suggest I wish I would have I just ended up giving up wouldn’t want you to get to that from the lack of sleep and pain.

Yes don’t preemptive pump you’ll make the problem worse! I disagree with what other people have suggested re formula feeding making it worse, as I did the same when my daughter was around the same age and it was fine. I went through a period of engorgement in the night when she first started sleeping longer stretches but I just rode it out and within 2 nights it stopped - your body gets used to it super quick (just how it will get used to the fact that you now do one less feed a day as you are replacing with formula). Hand express a tiny bit if you really need to. This approach worked for me. Also don’t feel badly if you want to continue giving her formula before bed (or any other time) - for me it wasn’t just the hopes of getting her to sleep for longer but also the fact that my husband was able to do it and give me a bit of a break. Do what works for you, and your body will catch up with howevrrr much breast milk and formula you’re giving her, just try to be consistent xx