How does pumping affect your milk supply?

Question

How does pumping affect your milk supply and when is it ok to start pumping if you have an oversupply and forceful letdown? My baby is 8 weeks and Im dying for at least one night of sleep. Will pumping ruin my chances of evening out my milk supply, and when / how should I go about it?

Answer 1

The more you pump, the more milk you'll produce!

Just pump every hour or so, that should help you out!

Answer 2

if you do pump, do it first thing in the morning when you are already full- i dont think one day is going to make much of a difference but congrats on 8 weeks so far:) if you pump firt thing in th morning then you'll probably get  a good amount and wont haev to pump again and wont stimute and extra:)

Answer 3

whether pumping or the baby nursing. The more milk you extract, the more your body will make. Its called supply and demand!  :-)

You will make more milk, no matter how it comes out.

Answer 4

Pumping is fine. Be CONSISTENT and your body will continue to make as much milk as you and your baby want. (PS - in my opinion, "nipple confusion" is BS. Some babies have preferences some don't - doesn't matter age.)  

Answer 5

It would cause you to produce more milk since it's based on supply and demand. Get in touch with a certified lactation consultant for personal, one on one help.

Answer 6

Do it and get yourself a night of sleep but don't rely on it because pumping will help keep your supply up a little bit but not as well as the baby sucking. After a few days of pumping and not feeding at night, your supply might drop a little.

Also, your baby is only 8 weeks old (congrats by the way!) you don't want nipple confusion, they say to wait until 12 weeks old to use a bottle to avoid that issue.

I wish you luck!!