breastfeeding and pumping?

Okay
So my daughter seems to sleep better at night when she has a bottle rather than breastfeeding at night. So, I've been pumping and breastfeeding. I wanted to see if anyone else was doing both and how often.

I was wondering if it's okay to exclusively give my daughter bottles at night and just breastfeed during the day. (until I go back to work, and then I'll probably ween her off in September)

Also, should I pump at night at all- or just wait until the morning?


Is it better if I just pump the breast milk for the baby and not breastfeed, or is it okay that I"m doing both?

Re: breastfeeding and pumping?

DS usually eats 6-8 oz before bed. This time has always been his biggest feeding. I don't think I ever made enough milk for that feeding so for about the past month or two (DS is just about 4 months) DH gives him a formula bottle at night so it is measured out and we know how much he eats. I pump right before bed and right when I wake up in the morning. I used to nurse him during the nighttime feedings but I was finding that he would fall asleep alot on me and feedings took FOREVER. So we added a formula bottle in then too. I BF him during the days now bc I am on summer vacation. BOttom line is I nurse when I can, pump when I can and give DS formula bottles when needed. Hope this helps a little

Re: breastfeeding and pumping?

I breastfed my DD for 6 weeks & then exclusively pumped for a year. I did similar w/ DS; although with him I nursed him first thing in the am & then when I got home from work around 4 (& sometimes when he'd wake around 10pm); the rest of his feedings I gave him pumped milk.

In the beginning I was pumping every 3 hours though day/night w/ DD.

With DS I was a bit more lax but had nowhere near the freezer stash I had w/ DD. I was pumping after the first 4 months maybe 4x a day total.

I found myself feeling better b/c I knew exactly how much they were getting.

Re: breastfeeding and pumping?

It's perfectly fine to do both, just make sure you pump in place of that nighttime bottle to keep your supply up.

Re: breastfeeding and pumping?

I EBF'd DD until she was about 5 or 6 weeks and then she would get a bottle of pumped breast milk a couple times a week to get her used to taking a bottle since she will be starting daycare in a week. She has had a bottle of pumped BM once a day for about 2-3 weeks now. I hate pumping!!! I will only pump when I have to which is the same thing I did with my son. I will pump three times a day to get enough milk for her when I am at work and will breast feed her whenever I am with her. There should be no problem with doing both. Do whatever makes you feel more comfortable.

If the baby is still feeding overnight and you prefer to give her a bottle I would still pump to keep your supply up.