At least, that’s my assessment of my own values after a recent nighttime incident.
Baby had fallen asleep at 9ish. It had been a long, late week and I was completely wiped. After mad computer work for a few hours, I finally crashed a bit before midnight. When I woke, I wasn’t sure where I was. It was dark, and baby was still sleeping. I checked the clock: 4:30!! Wow, that is one of the longest stretches baby has ever gone for. Sleeping for 4+ hours in a row had already left me more rested than usual, though I still needed many more.
After a quick trip to the bathroom, I tried to get back to sleep. I thought, never wake a sleeping baby. I thought, let her keep this sleep trend going. I thought, I really need my sleep.
I couldn’t do it. My breasts were feeling full of milk, or at least, as full as mine ever feel. Though I keep making milk, it’s not much and I’ve had a few days here and there of quite low supply. Going all night without nursing could make my supply drop off quite suddenly. Worrying about this made it impossible for me to sleep.
So, I moved baby over and brushed her lips with my breast until she woke up enough to nurse. She did both sides, and I was finally able to relax and sleep. She did wake up a few more times after that before morning, but it was worth it to me. I did what I could to keep breastfeeding, and I survived (and still do) and whatever sleep I can get.
Needed to hear this as I sit here and pump at 4am due to the exact same scenario! I still can’t bear to wake her but I’m not about to let this milk sit with how my low my supply has been….
Wow, we’re so aligned! I woke her up last night, too, at 4ish, for an extra feeding. I TRIED to get myself back to sleep, but just couldn’t. You are doing amazingly well, and so committed to feeding her.