Pumping question

Missa_g

My boys will be a week old tomorrow!  It's incredible how quickly time is flying.  They're both doing well.  Jacen is off phototherapy and breathing room air through CPAP.  Today he got 13mL milk every three hours.  Spencer is still receiving phototherapy but is back to CPAP breathing room air.  Today he received 15mL every four hours.  They were moved to isolates today and seem SO much more comfortable.  I'm so proud of them!

I have been pumping with a medela symphony every three hours since about six hours after delivery.  I'm currently pumping 13-30mL per time total (early morning is low, gets higher as day progresses).  Is this a normal amount?  I have an appointment with a lactation consultant Friday evening but I'm worried that it's so far away if my supply isn't good.  How often did you pump in the beginning?  When did you space out the schedule a little?  Thank you for your help!

dvwalborn

I couldn't breastfeed so I can't answer your pumping question, but I just wanted to pop in to tell you how happy I am to hear your progress update. Sounds like they're doing really well! Yay!

snoangel79

 I pumped every 3 hours. I only fed breast milk to my daughter (she was IUGR) and got through a little over  month. Just pretty much stopped as my supply was horrid and her demand has gone up so much. With twins also when they come home it's really hard to keep up pumping and then feeding them every three hours.  I was burning out. Not eating enough, sleeping enough (it's really hard with twins and I give anyone credit who can carry it on for a while) If you continue to feed breast milk I highly suggest getting a bra that holds the pumps in place so you can feed them (if they go to bottle after tube) and pump at same time ( I put them to breast but wanted to know how much they were getting so when they came off the feeding tube we did bottle, also that's what they did in the NICU). Something that helped me and I met with lactation ladies was visualization ( basically sitting quietly with the pumps going and closing my eyes and thinking of the best most relaxing place I've been and putting myself there). I got the most milk that way... Drink a ton a water. You will produce more at certain times of the day btw...

Mrs. Alice

Good update on your boys!  Your pumping amounts don't sound abnormal, especially for only 1 week out.  I pumped every 2-3 hours until my milk came in and then stretched it out to every 3 while I was awake and after another week or so I went 5-6 hours at night to sleep.  I aimed for 8 pumps a day.  In the beginning, pump at least 15 minutes and then you are supposed to pump for 3-4 minutes after you stop seeing milk coming out.  It also really helps to massage and compress your breasts while pumping to help get more milk out.  Your supply will increase over time, just keep up the pumping schedule.  I was making way more than what my babies needed for a long time.  Even at the time they came home, I had an oversupply but my body adjusted to their needs and I still have a nice freezer stash.

ETA:  I switched to primarily BFing when they came home, but I still pump a couple times a day. 

DrRx

Glad to hear your sons' great progress!  I started pumping every 3 hours with a 5 hour stretch where I would sleep, and did it about 8 times a day.  I would pump for 15 minutes, but if there was still milk coming out, I went on for as long as 30 minutes. 

I started doing 6 pumps a day about 2 weeks after she was born and went down to 5 pumps about 4 weeks after she was born.  Currently I've been down to 4 pumps a day since she was 6 weeks old. 

I was a freak of nature, and I'm really thankful, because I got a ton of milk.  About 2 weeks after she was born I was getting 30 to 35 ounces a day, and from 4 weeks until about 8 weeks I was getting 35 to 40 ounces a day! My milk has gone down in the last 2 weeks, and I'm averaging about 25 ounces a day. I have 2 freezers full of milk and have started using my parents freezer to store bottles! 

I keep a log of when I start and when I end each pump session, as well as the amount that I get.  It definitely makes a difference whether or not I eat/drink enough, as well as whether I'm tired and/or really stressed out.  I look at pics of Adalyn or close my eyes and visualize her and it helps with my let down.  I also will massage my breasts while I'm pumping.  I have a hands-free bra, which is the best investment I've made.  It really helps with the suction and I get more milk with it on than without it in my experience.  I bought the one from Medela (~$32), but you could try to make one yourself with an old sport bra and cut holes out of it.  

GL! Know that any breastmilk that you are able to give to your LOs is awesome. 

HJOHNSTON411

I did not record amounts, so pumping amounts are kind of a blur to me. I remember the few days where it was just colostrum, and then I kind of blur to the Bessie stage:).  I think after only one week though, especially with a preemie, you're on track.  

I always had the most milk in the morning from being rested etc.  Are you sleeping okay?  When you pump in the middle of the night, try drinking a big glass of water and maybe even a snack. That helped me a lot.  I would drink a glass of water and a Special K protein drink or eat a banana.  I always felt that helped me replenish my supply.  

I aimed for 8 pumps, every 3 hours average. It wasn't until he was around 3 weeks or so that the LC told me I was pumping enough to go 5-6 hours at night without pumping.  She said it was important to power pump during the day to make up for that though.  GL! 

TriciaandSean

I pumped or breastfed every 3 hours until well over 9 months.  My son didn't sleep through the night until 9 months so I didn't have to worry about pumping then, but once he started sleeping through the night I was worried about my supply (since I was back at work) so I got up and pumped during the night.

I'm jealous of all others who didn't have to do this.

sweetsugarmama

My boys are 17 days old and I get about 30ml from my left boob and 10 from my right per session. I get the most around 1 o'clock per day. The LC's and NICU nurses say I'm doing the best I can, how proud I should be, etc. I know it is a bit low but if you have PCOS, IF issues, diabetes, or any hormone problems you may have a low supply (or you may not!). I'm just pumping away at it, every 3 hours, every 4 at night. My supply was increasing but the last 5 days it's settled in around here. It bothers me because my boys have reflux and they do much better on my milk then formula. So hopefully it will increase. There are some medications that will increase supply. My LC feels I should avoid fenugreek due to some side effects and I am avoided Regalyn (sp is wrong but the perscription one) because it has an increased chance of PPD with it. I had that with my daughter and have at least 3 other factors making me higher risk for it. My LC also feels with my history risking PPD is not worth it at this point. It's kind of nice to have a team of LC's who are looking out for mom as much as baby. 

Sorry that turned long, but I just wanted you to know someone else is in the same frustrated/worried boat. hopefully your supply will just keep increasing, it sounds like you are in the right place for being only 1 week out. You're ahead of where I was already! 

sweetsugarmama

My boys are 17 days old and I get about 30ml from my left boob and 10 from my right per session. I get the most around 1 o'clock per day. The LC's and NICU nurses say I'm doing the best I can, how proud I should be, etc. I know it is a bit low but if you have PCOS, IF issues, diabetes, or any hormone problems you may have a low supply (or you may not!). I'm just pumping away at it, every 3 hours, every 4 at night. My supply was increasing but the last 5 days it's settled in around here. It bothers me because my boys have reflux and they do much better on my milk then formula. So hopefully it will increase. There are some medications that will increase supply. My LC feels I should avoid fenugreek due to some side effects and I am avoided Regalyn (sp is wrong but the perscription one) because it has an increased chance of PPD with it. I had that with my daughter and have at least 3 other factors making me higher risk for it. My LC also feels with my history risking PPD is not worth it at this point. It's kind of nice to have a team of LC's who are looking out for mom as much as baby. 

Sorry that turned long, but I just wanted you to know someone else is in the same frustrated/worried boat. hopefully your supply will just keep increasing, it sounds like you are in the right place for being only 1 week out. You're ahead of where I was already!