You can go 8 hours without pumping at night although it's not recommended because in the early stages of breastfeeding it can impact your milk supply and lead to a decrease in milk supply.
Ideally if breastfeeding or feeding breast milk you should not go longer than 5 to 6 hours without pumping during the first couple of months after giving birth.
Breast milk production also works on a supply and demand basis so if you don't pump or breastfeed frequently enough then the body produces less milk.
If you go 6 hours without pumping then your breast may not produce as much milk as it should and your breasts may also become uncomfortable feeling and also engorged.
The longer you wait to pump milk from your breast, the less milk your body will produce.
This is a result of the engorged breasts signaling to your brain to make less milk.
Missing a breast pumping session can also make your breasts feel uncomfortable and engorged.
You can usually go 2 to 3 days without pumping before your milk dries up although some women can go 4 days before their milk dries up.
However you should pump your breast within a day or two to prevent the milk drying up.
Your milk will often start to noticeably decrease within 2 days if you completely stop pumping milk during those times.
Although some women may still produce a small amount of breast milk for several weeks or months after stopping pumping completely.
Foods that decrease milk supply are Chasteberry and foods with too much vitamin C or vitamin B such as citrus fruits as well as foods made with peppermint, sage and parsley.
Caffeine such as coffee and tea and other caffeinated beverages can also decrease your milk supply.
Things that decreases a mothers milk supply are thyroid issues, infections, breast surgery, lack of sleep, drinking alcohol, smoking, stress and certain medications like hormonal birth control, especially with estrogen and pseudoephedrine.
Stress can reduce milk supply, especially in the first couple of weeks after giving birth and even introducing solids too early.
You should offer a second breast after they are done or seem to be done with the first breast.
Signs that your baby are done with the first breast and are ready for the second breast include.
Letting go of the breast on their own.
Seeming drowsy or falling asleep.
The baby doing a series of butterfly sucks instead of deep sucks.
When breastfeeding your baby you should offer one breast per feed and don't swap sides of breasts unless your first breast feels very soft after your baby finishes feeding from it.
If your baby does want a top up feed within 1 hour, then you can feed again from the same breast.
However if the baby is still hungry after the first breast is finished then you can offer the second breast.
In the first month of the babies life, most breastfed babies may be satisfied with only one breast.
Although if your baby is well attached and sucking effectively, they will keep feeding for as long as they need and then come off by themselves or fall asleep.
Your baby may or may not want the second breast which is okay.