Can breastfeeding for a prolonged single sitting actually hurt your milk supply?

Question

I couldn't find a question like this on here, but my wife was wondering: Can she actually be negatively affecting her breast milk supply by feeding my son for a prolonged period. I always thought that you cant make more breast milk, unless you empty more breast milk. Some people have said that there are two hormones (ones that tell your body that you need to make more milk because the baby has emptied or used up a decent amount of milk supply; and ones that tell your body NOT to make milk because the baby is currently drinking). Though it still doesn't sound logical. I'd think that you'd just make milk whether you're out, or whether it's currently being used.

Also, do you need to wait 3-4 hours in between breastfeeding to allow your milk to come back? I heard that if the baby needs more than you're making, then just the fact that the baby is trying to get more milk will cause your body to make even more than before. Like supply and demand.

Note: I'm asking these questions because, although I've stated what sounds logical to me along side asking the questions, the confusion was caused by an ex-R.N. and her ex-husband who's an ex-midwife (my in-laws).

Answer 1

Breastfed babies eat more often usually than formula fed babies which means they usually eat every 2 hrs sometimes more often than that and the more they nurse the more milk the woman produces because it is an "on demand" process.  When a supply is running low they advise you do more frequent feedings or pump in between to encourage the b*****s to produce more milk.  There is no problem with a baby wanting to nurse for longer, some babies use mommy as a human binky.  

Answer 2

well there is 2 types of milk in the breast. when the baby starts sucking they get the sweet sugary milk.....then after a while they get the hind milk which fills them up.  My baby usually falls asleep right before the hind milk stage and I need to wake him up.  If they just get the first part of the milk and you switch up the b***s then the baby might spit up.  Regardless if you stop at any time your body is constantly reproducing milk.....

Answer 3

My second baby nursed pretty much non-stop and I had plenty of milk.  When he wasn't nursing, I was leaking.  He was very fat, so fat that I didn't think he'd ever learn to walk.  

If your wife nurses for an extended period of time, her milk will let down more than once.   I wouldn't worry about it, as long as the baby growing well and peeing and pooping enough.

Answer 4

The breast never truly "empties"  As long as the baby is suckling, the breast will produce milk on demand.  No, you do not have to wait 3-4 hrs for the breast to "refill", because it  doesn't ever really empty.

Answer 5

not so sure myself, but according to my own experience of 2 kids, i can say that the more the baby takes milk the more is produced. supply and demand, yes! you r not out unless the baby does not take it for a long time. may b when he is ill or anything at those times the production may slow down but when he actively startover again the supply will meet the demand!

Answer 6

You do make milk all the time, regardless of whether you're nursing or resting - but the quantity depends on how young the baby is, and how healthy the mother is.

In the early weeks, the mother is usually producing way more milk than a baby needs, to ensure that whenever the baby is hungry there is milk on tap. As the baby becomes more efficient at drinking, and as the mother's body starts to adjust to the amount of milk her particular baby needs, the amount produced between feeds eases, and most of the milk the baby gets is produced while it's drinking.

Not sure about the physiological details, but stimulation of the nipple does trigger the release of a hormone (along with several other triggers) which allows the "let-down" reflex that makes the milk flow.

Bear in mind though, that producing milk is quite a strenuous activity, and can be exhausting for the mother - getting plenty of rest, as well as food and fluids will help the mother keep her energy levels up, and help to maintain the supply. Generally the time between feeds is recovery time, but as long as the mother is getting rest (ideally sleep), food and drink, prolonged feeding sessions won't make her milk production stop.

If the baby is not feeding hungrily though, and is treating mum like a snack bar, with a suck here and there, it would be a good idea to talk to a lactation consultant, as it's more likely to prevent mum resting properly.