Breastfed baby now sleeping longer

I am a working mother with good breast-milk production and have been breastfeeding regularly in evenings/nights/mornings. During the day I pump quite well at work and am able to provide enough milk to get baby through the day.

Recently, baby has started sleeping much longer at night and I have been waking up feeling engorged. I feel I could go back to sleep, but am unsure how this could effect my production and if baby would still get enough nutrition.

Since we were in a pretty good rhythm, I am quite worried how this might effect everything.

Should I wake baby to feed or let him sleep and why?
If I let him sleep, will it hurt my pumping sessions during the day?
If letting him sleep won't hurt my daytime pumping, should I be pumping more to make up for it or will I even be capable?
And should I up his intake during the day if he is sleeping more at night?

Thanks

Answer from the lactation consultant:
Unfortunately, there is not one clear cut answer to this question.
Generally speaking, you must empty at regular intervals to maintain your current milk supply. It is possible if your baby is over 6 months for you to maintain your supply even if you skip one emptying session. But if your baby is under 6 months old, I would not suggest doing this. Why? because your supply is still vulnerable up to this point, in my observation.
So, my suggestion would be:
If your baby is under 6 months, either wake baby to feed or get up and pump for at least 10 minutes to maintain your supply.
If baby is over 6 months, then try sleeping through. YOu can only "wait and see" if this adjustment affects your supply. My only hesitation with this option is that you said you are waking engorged. If you wake engorged, this a sign that your body NEEDS to empty. And not doing so can set you up for mastitis.
All this being said,if it were me and the baby was under a year old, I would empty at night. I personally would not want to run the chance of reducing my supply or getting mastitis.
As far as his intake during the day, as long as he is feeding 8+ times a day, all is fine. YOu did not mention if he is taking food, that could be another contributor.
It is hard for me to answer this question in detail without age, food, routine info.

If you have further questions or want to add more information, just add a comment to this thread and I will answer at no additional charge.

Happy Nursing,

Liz Pevytoe, RN, IBCLC