Other breastfeeding mamas warned me that it would hurt to skip feedings and I never really paid much attention to what they said. I figured, just like everything else, I would experience it and learn.
After that first night of skipping night nursings, I woke up leaking everywhere... I haven't experienced that since Blake was first born. I was so full that I even thought about pumping again and just donating the milk like I've done before.
There were hard lumps around my milk-milks, all the way up to my underarms. It felt like I was bruised all over my chest area. Like someone just beat me.
As soon as Blake woke up that morning, I was next to him and ready to feed. I needed the milk out but knew that if I pumped it out, I would just continue telling my body that it needed to make more. And that's the total opposite of what I wanted. I mean, I want to donate milk again and loved being able to provide so much, but I know my upcoming schedule won't allow me to take so much time to pump.
Of course, he didn't drink much once he woke up so I was still super full. I ended up putting cabbage leaves in my bra that morning because I read that it can reduce milk production and the cold leaves honestly just felt good. Like an ice pack. ;)
That first day after skipping night feedings was terrible. I could hardly carry Blake...
But each night has gotten better. Almost two weeks later and I have no soreness and it doesn't bother me at all.
I still nurse him during the day time so we get plenty of quality time, comfort, and milk to fill him up. And I'm a much happier mommy now that I don't have to worry about rushing to our bed every time he wakes up in the middle of the night to feed him.
