Not nursing at night

[alejorge]

My son is 8 months old now and sleeps all night. He goes to bed around 8:30pm-9:00pm and doesn't get up till about 8:00am. I have noticed that since he has been sleeping all night that my nipples are more sensitive when he latches on and my breasts are a little more sensitive. I do get engorged over night. My question is should I get up and pump in the middle of the night? Would that help with the pain in my breasts and my nipples?

TIA for any help,
Jocie

[KerrySmithIBCLC]

If the sensitivity is causing a lot of discomfort, then you can certainly try to pump once during the night to see if that alleviates it. Make sure that he's latching on really well, and if your breasts are becoming so full that it's hard for him to get a good latch, you can try hand expressing for a minute or two before latching him on. Have you ruled out pregnancy or a return of your periods? That can cause sensitive nipples or pain when latching.

Do you get *engorged* or do you just get really full? Engorged means that your breasts are hard, tight, painful, and hot to the touch. You should try to avoid ever letting your breasts get engorged. If it's more a matter of your breasts getting really fully, you can pump if you want, but it's not totally necessary. Over time your supply will adjust and your breasts will become less full overnight.

[alejorge]

Well so far i haven't gotten my period back. i guess I am just really really really full when I wake up in the morning. I hope that I am not pregnant. That would not be good! My breasts get so full that they leak through the breast bads and they also leak through my bra and shirt. I have been like this for like a month now.

[KerrySmithIBCLC]

If it's really uncomfortable and causing problems, then you can certainly pump once during the night. I wouldn't completely empty your breast, but just pump for a few minutes to soften your breast and relieve the worst of the discomfort.