Long breaks without nursing?

Question

A couple of weeks ago a lactation consultant and I were discussing information around exclusively pumping and she cautioned me not to go more than 5 hours without pumping or it could impact my supply, 
Does the same apply to nursing?  I’ve been nursing only for the last week with my husband away at work (no point in the work of pumping when I have to feed my 4 week old son anyways) and he’s been sleeping some pretty long stretches with the leap he’s going through. 
Should I do a mini pump session in between or don’t worry about it?

Answer

You shouldn’t let a newborn go more than 2-3 hours during the day without eating. Wake them to feed. And yes, going 5 hours or more without nursing or pumping can and will decrease your supply especially in the beginning.

Answer

I agree with what another poster said. You should try to wake baby during the day if they're going over certain amount of hours without eating. All my pediatricians have told me this with all my kids. And definitely pump if you're not waking them. You should nurse often especially in the beginning because this is when your baby is establishing your supply. If you go say 4-5 hours without nursing or pumping, you're going to tell your breasts to produce less.

Answer

At four weeks? I’d do a mini pump session just to be safe.

Answer

I fed my son when he was hungry. I never woke him up to feed and never pumped unless I was giving a bottle. My supply is a little less now at 6 months but I go 5-6 hours between pumps while I’m at work. Honestly though, I get 1.5 oz less now than when I started back st work almost 3 months ago, so it’s less stressful to me to just get to pump 1 time while I’m at work. I nurse for bedtime and when he wakes up in the morning. So even at night I’ll go 8+ hours without pumping.

Long breaks without nursing?

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