pumping question

I ave looked everywhere for the answer to this question, maybe you ladies can help me. I have been pumping full time because my son was latching on and then giving up feeding after about 5 sucks and becoming hysterical. I pump every time he eats which is every 2 hours. At night, though, I have gone 4 hours without pumping and I get twice the milk I usually do after 2 hours. does that mean I could pump every 4 hours and still get the same amount of milk? I don't want to do anything to diminish my supply, but the every 2 hours is really a drag. Thanks for any advice you can give!

If you drop how often you pump, your supply will drop. I know the every 2 hours has to suck, but if you really want to stick with it, you really have to pump that often. Pumping doesn't work as well as the baby suckling, so you will lose your supply quickly. Good luck!

The more often you pump the more milk your body will make so I wouldn't start pumping less often unless you want your milk supply to decrease. It's all about supply and demand.

after awhile your breasts will get used to making milk every 4 hours, so yes it will diminish your supply if you do that. but the first few days you will prolly get the right amount, but after that your body will be like "ooh we only need to make milk every 4 hours now".

Oh, ok. I was afraid that was the answer. I really want him to have the breastmilk, so I will stick with it. What should I do when he starts eating less often?

Have you tried using nipple shields to help him latch?

Quoting nurselisa_99:“ Oh, ok. I was afraid that was the answer. I really want him to have the breastmilk, so I will stick with it. What should I do when he starts eating less often?”

you should try to keep a consistent pumping routine. and keep trying to latch him, he might get it someday and that will save you a lot of heartache with the pumping issue  

Quoting Nurse,Momma&MarineWife:“ Have you tried using nipple shields to help him latch?”

The lactation consultant told me he is latching correctly but he is a "lazy sucker" (sounds funny). Could the nipple shields sill help him? I would try anything.

Quoting nurselisa_99:“ The lactation consultant told me he is latching correctly but he is a "lazy sucker" (sounds funny). Could the nipple shields sill help him? I would try anything.”

I am not sure, but it'd be worth a shot. The good thing with the sield is it fills up with milk when you let down, so he'd get a little more instant gratification which may encourage him to suck more...not sure though! They were a lifesaver for me though!

Quoting nurselisa_99:“ The lactation consultant told me he is latching correctly but he is a "lazy sucker" (sounds funny). Could the nipple shields sill help him? I would try anything.”

he's probably getting frustrated b/c he wants the "real milk" as in the thick hind milk and not so much of the foremilk which is what he gets when he first latches on... you can try a couple of things here...
1. feed him about 15 minutes before you expect him to get hungry, that way he won't be so "desperate" for food and may be a little more relaxed about the whole thing and take his time.
2. about 10 min before he's due to eat start pumping, once you notice the consistancy change in your milk to the thicker stuff ... then try nursing your little guy... that may be what he wants. If that goes alright then you can give him the stuff you pumped towards the end of his feeding.....or save it for another time.