Pumping.... Mommies Please Help and Encourage.

Click on this link, ignore the main document, but click on the comments! (the link for comments should be in the upper right) The first several are pumping advice from a friend who's exclusively pumping for her special needs baby! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dDMhUtAQJ2XgJ7YzMTspr...

It's ok, it's only day three. It can take another day or two for your milk to come in. Just keep going, it will happen! For me, on day 3, my breasts became painful and I thought - yay, my milk is in. And when I pumped it, I got NOTHING. But by the next day, I suddenly started making milk. It was almost like my body quit making the colostrum for a day while it was switching over to milk. I don't know if that really happens, but it seemed like it to me. And, for what it's worth, I had an emergency C also, and my baby's first 2 feedings were both bottles of formula - I couldn't even attempt to nurse because I was the one in bad shape. But my milk still came in and we breastfed for a year. So don't panic about the slowdown or the delay between birth and your first pump. Just keep doing what you are doing and give it time.

My first was in the nicu for a week following her birth - I was in the same predicament without the c-sec/surgery. I used the hospital pump at first - same as you, every two hours or so - in between that, I spent whatever time I could with her either bottle feeding my drops of collostrum or trying to have her directly breastfeed. I was pretty concerned with the ridiculously small amounts of collostrum coming out, also - it took forever just to get an ounce or so, and sometimes, I got nada! When I was discharged, I started using my Medela - just kept on doing in regardless of what came out. We lived across the street from the hospital, so I would go over to see her every 4 hours to feed her and try & have her latch on for awhile (yes, even through the night). I gave birth on a Monday evening, and the following Saturday, my milk came in with a vengance! Had the same experience with babies 2 & 3 (milk taking several days to come in). Don't give up - your body is recovering- make sure you are getting rest when you can (I've always seen a dip in milk production when I haven't gotten enough sleep), try to have baby actually latch on whenever possible (if possible) as often as possible, and don't forget to pump throughout the night, also - try to mimic what the baby would actually do (i.e., don't just pump before bed and then start again when you wake up!). Above all, be patient and try not to get down on yourself if it's not working out - I know many women who just couldn't get the milk to flow, and there are some things you just can't control! Best of luck to you!

Oh, and by the way, when I used the Medela, I also bought the bustier that allowed you to attach the pump with a hands-free system so that I could just relax (or doze off!) while I was pumping - definitely reduced the stress - another milk production decreaser! This is what I'm talking about:
http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/529/easy-ex...

E.,

Congrats on baby! How is she doing? I don't know where you are (which hospital), but here are some suggestions:

Pump every 2 hours, that is right, 12 times per day, using a hospital grade pump. Pump at least 10-15 minutes each breast. Try to pump next to your baby if possible. Seeing your baby and smelling your baby are very good ways to stimulate milk production.

Take the pain medication you are given!!! This is especially important for c-section mamas. If you are in too much pain, your body won't produce milk. Don't worry about whether some of it is going into your milk or not - most of what you are given is safe and either way, you are trying to get your body to start producing milk for the long haul. So many mamas are hurting so much that they can't spend significant time on the pump.

Continue for at least 7-10 days after birth before you consider giving up.

Sometimes the hospital lactation consultants aren't really the best. I think you are in Miami - please, please, please, call Pam Mazzella di Bosco. She is in Davie, but will help you for free over the phone and will come to you, even in hospital. Tell her that C. from ICAN recommended her and see what help you can get.

Pam Mazzella DiBosco, IBCLC, RLC
11800 SW 44 St.
Davie, FL 33330
###-###-#### (cell)
###-###-#### (voice mail)
____@____.com

E. - I am so sorry about the emergency hysterectomy. I can't even imagine how much additional trauma that must have added to your birth experience. Please reach out if you want to - the ICAN group is now meeting monthly in Miami and we are here for you if you need us.

C.

It looks almost 5 days for my milk to fully come in after having my first baby. I had to supplement in the meantime, as colostrum itself just wasn't cutting it enough for him. Once it came in, it came in. Don't stress about it- your milk will come in. Stressing can cut down your supply. Just keep doing what you are doing and drink plenty of fluids.

Is your baby able to nurse at all? I found that I could only pump if my baby stimulated my "letdown". Otherwise, the machine was just pulling and pulling. Even if you can't nurse her right away, sometimes just being near your baby will stimulate your milk. I would speak to a lactation consultant at the hospital and get help from her.

I personally could not pump, so I can't advise you on that, E.. I just wanted to say that I'm glad that the baby is here, that they are taking good care of her and that little lung, and that you are alright. I don't know if the hysterectomy was planned or not, but I just wanted to tell you that you are a real trooper - I'm glad it's all over!

Now, get plenty of rest and sleep to help your body. You need to take the time now to recover - when she comes home, it will be harder to rest.

Hugs!
Dawn

First, stop stressing. Second get something that smells like her, and a picture of her if you can not be WITH her while pumping. You want to make your body feel for baby and think of baby - nursing is emotional for both parties - stress is bad. In addition, c-sections can cause for nursing issues as well as not nursing/pumping with in an hour of delivery. Not to say it is not possible by any means. I will suggest Mother's Milk Tea and Fenugreek herbal supplement BOTH and TONS OF WATER and some extra calories too. Again - create a calm soothing place to pump and have baby there one way or another to create that "bond" and help your body realize it IS time.

My son was also kept in intensive care for the first three days--he was born 12/31 but didn't come home with me. I used the hospital pump and my Medela and got pretty much nothing--a few drops of colostrum, maybe. But on day 4 I woke up with completely engorged breasts and we nursed for 14 months! So yes, I do think your milk will come in, and don't give up on breastfeeding yet--you still have time to establish a good nursing relationship. And if you end up formula feeding or supplementing, that is okay, too! Your baby will get the nourishment she needs and you will still bond with her. Good luck and prayers that your daughter is doing well.

What an ordeal! I'm glad you are OK.

Your first milk isn't really milk. And then when the milk does come in, you may not get a ton - your baby's stomach is so so tiny. She doesn't need much. The colostrum is like superfood. They don't need much.

If you have not been measured for the horns you are using, please do so. Or see about getting softer, silicone ones. It can make a difference. Also, try different settings. You do not need "rip your nipples off" strength to use a pump. And worrying will only make it worse. Try to relax. Think about your baby. Look at pictures. Hold her blanket. Pump after visiting her.

I agree to ask for other LCs. The nurses in my hospital knew enough to be dangerous, IMO. Going to the actual lactation center (ask them to visit you) was so much more helpful.

I don't know the full situation, but my sister had an emergency c-section and NICU baby. She was able to nurse him for 7 months. I am hopeful for you.

kellymom.com may also have tips that help you. Hang in there. And it's all a process.

My youngest was in the NICU too in a different hospital than me. I used the hospitals pump. My milk didn't come in right away but eventually it did. I exclusively pumped and still do. I like to know how many ounces he's getting. I haven't read the other responses so my apologies if this is a repeat but drink lots & lots of water & relax. It will come in. If you have to supplement with formula, that is alright too. Make sure baby gets your colostrum. Your milk should come in soon. Good luck & hope you & baby are home soon!

Poor Mama. Hang in there, it might still happen. If you can't be close to her while pumping, get a few close up pictures of baby to stare at while pumping, snuggle up to a blanket that baby has been laying on and breathe in her scent, try to relax and play a mantra in your head "baby love baby baby baby" or hum or sing a lullabye out loud.

Keep asking for help. Don't let them blow you off.

Good luck to you and baby.

Just wanted to say congrats! Can she nurse? The suckling from baby helps the milk along better than the pump. If you can I would try to have her nurse as much as possible and then keep up with the pumping. Not sure if you're still in the hospital or at home. Good luck with breastfeeding, hope it goes smoothly.

I haven't read all the suggestions but want to say hang in there! It is worth it!! I will also say that though it's worth it and I would do it again, I would not call my experience joyful ;). It was a struggle to the end. But I'm here to say you can do it :).
My daughter was born at 31wks and in NICU for 4 weeks. I also had a c-section. She was too small to breast feed so I pumped her milk for 2 months before she started.....and pumped all the way into her 11th month because she never really caught on/got strong enough sucking/my milk came in good enough. Not going to kid you- it's alot of work but it really is worth it.
Use the hospital grade pump absolutely. Rent it by the month so you can take it home. Make sure you have the correct size for your breasts- I tried a few different ones. And try not to think/stress about it. Relax as much as you can. It will help. Do they allow kangaroo care at your NICU? Is your baby well enough to do this? If so, do as much kangaroo care as you can, and especially immediately before going to pump. That will help stimulate your milk.
And check the la leche league around you. The leader was so helpful for me! She even came to my house! I was getting defeated and she really helped. I also went to a weekly breastfeeding group at the local hospital for quiet some time- probably until she was like 8 mo or so. Tgat was great too.

Good luck and enjoy your new baby!! :)

Both my kids were in the NICU for several weeks and I have successfully breastfed both of them. With my first it took about 3 days for my milk to come in. With my second it took about 5 but I was super stressed as he was in much worse condition. I also had a c-section with both of them. Drink pleny of fluids, pump, pump, pump. You have to keep it up every 2-3 hours. That means getting up in the middle of the night as well. Of course you are in pain and of course you are very worried about your baby. Try to go and see her as much as you can. Even if you can't hold her seeing her will help produce hormones that help with lactation. Use the hospital grade pump. It is so much better than any pump on the market. GL and I hope it all works out. Congrats on your new baby.

Relaxation, water, and massage! Hang in there!