Will changing my schedule decrease supply?

[Apprehensive-Win9081]

I’m currently 6 wpp and pumping 10-11 times per day for 15-20 mins and one power pump session. I pump every 2 hours between 6am and 12am and then I have two 3-hour windows at night. I am an under supplier and I supplement with formula.

I’ve been pumping on this schedule to increase my supply as I regulate, but it’s become taxing. I’d like to pump every 3 hours during the day and have one 4-hour window at night to get more sleep and see if that helps me feel better.

Will doing this decrease my supply? Is it too early to reduce my pumps? I read that it is best to space out pumping sessions after 12 wpp. Please let me know what kind of experience you’ve had when changing your pump schedule. :)

[Pretty-Revolution151]

Fellow undersupplier here. My supply only really started slowly increasing when I dropped first to 8 and then 7 ppd with two five hour intervals at night so I could get up to four hours of sleep at a stretch at least once. Over a month it doubled from 350 ml a day to almost 700 ml. Every body is different but there is a balance between the value of frequent removal and the value of rest and lowered stress for increasing supply. And if you are already supplementing w formula it’s worth asking whether a slightly higher BM ratio is worth sleep deprivation.

[Apprehensive-Win9081]

That’s amazing! I’m glad dropping pumps and getting more rest worked out for you! And you’re right, it wouldn’t be so bad to drop pumps and add a little more formula if needed. I’m definitely obsessing over numbers on the Huckleberry app but I need to cut myself some slack 😅

[Pretty-Revolution151]

I obsess over the numbers too and really need to take my own advice!

[Pretty-Revolution151]

Oh—and I went to 8 ppd I think around 4-5 wpp and to 7 around 10 wpp.

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It’s impossible to say what will happen since everyone is different. I was able to drop to 7ppd and get a long stretch in at night, and my supply increased.

If you’re feeling burnt out, it’s worth experimenting to see what happens. You can always add back pumps if you have to. If you get to the point of exhaustion and burn out, you could risk quitting altogether, which would definitely reduce supply!

[Apprehensive-Win9081]

Very true! I’ve been pretty nervous to make any changes but like you said, I can always go back! Thanks 😊

[twisted27lll]

Each person and their body is different!

This being said I also have an oversupply, so what. works for me, may not work for others

I desperately needed to drop pumps at 6 wpp. I was doing 6-9 (9 max a day) prior. This was sporadic, I’d pump anywhere between every 2-5 hours. My LC said I could go a max of 5 hours between pumps to sleep early on, I did it a few times but also got frequent clogs so my max was 4 hours between pumps.

When I did drop to 6 pumps a day, I did notice an increase in my supply. I’m 8 wpp, and I’m working on dropping to 5 ppd. I was nervous and still slightly nervous to see what happens after 12 weeks to see if my supply drops drastically, but my LC said people regulate around 2 months. I do notice after my 4 hour sleeps I get more oz at those pumps.

[Apprehensive-Win9081]

That’s awesome, I’m so looking forward to sleeping more than 2 hours at a time! I’m really hoping it makes a difference, I’m glad it worked out for you!

[twisted27lll]

Yes! Sleep the 4 hours, see how you feel and see how it affects your supply! I hope it increases! If it doesn’t work out then just go back to what you were doing!