those who have pumped

wishtonight

This is my first time pumping and I know the first few days you don't get much, but I was wondering about how much is what you've gotten the first 1 or 2 days?

kristen714

I wouldn't pump this early unless you must. I would nurse as much as the baby needs to get your supply established. I didn't pump for the first month, but then I got about 3 oz per side.

kalette

The first few days it wasn't much, but it steadily increased. Maybe half an ounce to 1 ounce and then I was up to 45oz a day when I was in the full swing of it (LO only ever ate around 25 a day). I just stopped a week ago and was back down to 1 to 1/2 an ounce.

wishtonight

I've had 2 pumping sessions so far and have gotten 10ml total, which the nurse has said is good but doesn't seem like much to me even though I know not to expect much at first.

She's in the NICU and I have to exclusively pump right now. She has to be monitored for the rest of the day before they decide if she can start feeding, and it might be via feeding tube. So, I'm on my own with milk production right now

kristen714

You are probably pumping colostrum now right? That's super nutritous so 10 ml sounds great! Sorry if I sounded snotty before I really didn't mean to. Best of luck!

ToastieSimons

that sounds about what I got at day 3  (that's when I started pumping with DS1, he couldn't nurse).

By day 5 i was super engorged and swollen and I would say my milk came in on day 6.  I only every got about 10-20 oz a day at most even pumping every 2 hours with a hospital grade pump.  But the NICU was extremely stressful for me and my baby could never go to breast so it was a very different situation.

wishtonight

kristen714 said:

You are probably pumping colostrum now right? That's super nutritous so 10 ml sounds great! Sorry if I sounded snotty before I really didn't mean to. Best of luck!

Just colostrum right now, and my reply was before I had read yours but definitely no worries! I can't feed her at all so the nurses want to make sure I pump to get my supply started. I'm hoping they'll let me BF her but for now it's strictly pumping and taking it down to her in NICU to be stashed until she's well enough to take it.

The nurses suggested I pump every 2-3 hours, does that sound about right or should I do it more often? The LC isn't available on weekends so I'm unable to ask or get more help from her right now.

MesmrEwe

1) You're doing WONDERFUL!!!!!  Any and all amounts that you're getting are absolutely FANTASTIC!!!  Don't compare your supply to what others can/couldn't pump! 

2) Having EP for both of mine when they were young, it's SO important these first few weeks to get your supply established, and YES, pump, pump, and pump!  Set your pump up next to LO if they'll allow...  Also, make sure you're massaging while pumping (it'll feel like golf balls and pebbles in spots, those are your ducts, massage those until they empty, you'll be glad you did!).  If you end up with a clogged duct, Lecithin (available in the vitamin section at Walgreens) is your best friend.  I learned this one from the gals on a different board and it virtually stopped me from getting them (Full blown mastitis SUCKS!!!!)..

3) What you don't use go ahead and freeze.  These first days are the colostrum and then it'll switch over to your milk supply.  Keep pumping, and keep freezing the extra.  It's better especially down the road to have the freezer stash built up. 

4) Above all else, PUMP MAINTENANCE!  The membranes (little white flappy things on Medela pumps) need to be replaced frequently.  How you know they need to be changed is if you're pumping and not getting much (i.e. less than the last session)..  For me in the "establishing" phase, I went through them.  The good news is that they're super cheap and you can usually pick them up from Walmart or Target for about $6 for a pack. 

5) Make sure you're taking care of Mommy!!!  DS was in the PICU his first week (freak accident landed him there)...  You need rest and you need food.  Oatmeal cookies are AWESOME to have on hand because they give you quick energy and the oats will help your supply.  Do not be afraid to accept the help of close family/friends to stay with LO while you take care of you.  You're also recovering right now!

Angela814

I've never pumped that early on, but my babies nursed every 1-2 hours in the hospital. I'd probably try to pump every 2 hours to help establish your supply.

wishtonight

Thank you ladies, I appreciate the replies and tips!

I wish I could bring the pump down to NICU but it's not possible, so for now it's a lot of going back and forth between my room and NICU. Baby's breathing is stable now so that's a HUGE relief, hopefully she's well enough to go home in a week like they're saying!

Nel11

MesmrEwe said:

1) You're doing WONDERFUL!!!!!  Any and all amounts that you're getting are absolutely FANTASTIC!!!  Don't compare your supply to what others can/couldn't pump! 

2) Having EP for both of mine when they were young, it's SO important these first few weeks to get your supply established, and YES, pump, pump, and pump!  Set your pump up next to LO if they'll allow...  Also, make sure you're massaging while pumping (it'll feel like golf balls and pebbles in spots, those are your ducts, massage those until they empty, you'll be glad you did!).  If you end up with a clogged duct, Lecithin (available in the vitamin section at Walgreens) is your best friend.  I learned this one from the gals on a different board and it virtually stopped me from getting them (Full blown mastitis SUCKS!!!!)..

3) What you don't use go ahead and freeze.  These first days are the colostrum and then it'll switch over to your milk supply.  Keep pumping, and keep freezing the extra.  It's better especially down the road to have the freezer stash built up. 

4) Above all else, PUMP MAINTENANCE!  The membranes (little white flappy things on Medela pumps) need to be replaced frequently.  How you know they need to be changed is if you're pumping and not getting much (i.e. less than the last session)..  For me in the "establishing" phase, I went through them.  The good news is that they're super cheap and you can usually pick them up from Walmart or Target for about $6 for a pack. 

5) Make sure you're taking care of Mommy!!!  DS was in the PICU his first week (freak accident landed him there)...  You need rest and you need food.  Oatmeal cookies are AWESOME to have on hand because they give you quick energy and the oats will help your supply.  Do not be afraid to accept the help of close family/friends to stay with LO while you take care of you.  You're also recovering right now!

Would you mind explaining why the membranes need to be replaced so much?  I ask because I had to pump around the clock with my daughter and had extremely low supply, so I worked with an IBCLC and spent hours researching and I never came across anything about the membranes needing replacing.  But, obviously, I anything I can do with LO#2 that will help my supply I will do!

lyingliarlies

i'll echo everyone else, if it's still colostrum you won't be getting much at all. i only got drops for the first day or so.  keep at it - my son didn't latch for 3 weeks so i pumped, we supplemented w/ formula until 13 weeks, and he's still nursing at 2+. be positive, rest, eat & drink TONS -  you are doing great!

Socialworkgirl

Just want to give one more echo. I had to pump exclusively and at first it was just drops so 10 mL is awesome. You should try to pump as much as possible to establish supply, but if you need to skip one over night it won't be the end of the world. Make sure you are eating plenty of calories and drinking plenty of water. Thinking of you during this time! I know it is so hard!

lisamoe

I started pumping last week due to latch issues.  I get usually 1-2 ounces per session.  I'm only pumping 4 times a day though.