pumping for the nicu

southphilly · September 2009

ladies-I need a pep talk or some absolution:

after two months of pumping I am drying up. it's my fault, I know, because I have become less than diligent-I'm down to pumping 3x a day-I was just too exhausted with multiple nicu trips a day, caring for a toddler, etc. My guy is still on cpap-they're saying maybe canula maybe next week with some non-nutritive sucking.

Do I keep pumping? can my supply pick up? or do I let this thing go-I have a freezer full of two months worth of milk.

KellyMichelle · September 2009

I would contact a lactation consultant and see what suggestions they have. www.kellymom.com is also a great resource.

I would absolutely not stop until you have at least gotten to try breastfeeding. When DS was in the NICU I was in the same situation as you, not getting much milk and getting frustrated with it. I gave up right before I was able to breastfeed. DS had gotten 3 months of my milk and I was just so tired of pumping and not getting anything. It really is one of my biggest regrets. He did fine on formula - he grew well and has always been healthy, but I always wonder if we could have made bfing work.

Good luck and have peace in whatever decision you make.

Mrs. Destructo · September 2009

I agree with Kelly - pumping is HARD, but try to not give up until your kiddo is ready to try nursing. The skin on skin contact may be all you need to bring your supply back.

In the mean time, have you been able to do kangaroo care? If not, try it! It may help your supply too.

Rachel&Joe · September 2009

It's so hard. My baby is home now & I am still pumping since breastfeeding is hard & I want to make sure she's getting enough food. It was much easier finding the time to pump when she was in the NICU. Now that she is home, it's not unusual for me to go 4-5 hours between pumpings. When my supply starts to wane (has happened many times), this is what I do:

Drink tons and tons of water

try to pump every 2-3 hours (hard, I know--do they have pumps at your NICU so you can pump while you are visiting?)

try to get enough sleep (yeah, super hard, I know)

when you are at the end of your pumping session and it looks like you are all emptied out, try to massage your breasts into the cones. I usually can get a bit more milk this way--every little bit helps!

The more you empty yourself out, the more milk your body will make. It's a huge sacrifice, but if it's important to you, stick with it! It's so so rewarding.

XOXO

clyoungsey · September 2009

I know it is hard, especially when you have a freezer full like we both do, but I can tell you this, nothing is more rewarding for me, than when little man prefers to nurse over a bottle. Pumping is ok because it provides food for your LO, but it is nothing like being able to look down into the contented eyses of your baby nursing. Good luck sweetie!

TriciaJoy · September 2009

Ditto all the pp's. Robbie was never able to nurse full time for a lot of reasons, but I was so glad to have at least gotten the opportunity to nurse him a few times.

I had to take domperidone to keep my supply up. That being said, I did have to pump 6x/day with that..

MarriedBestFriends · September 2009

I killed my supply with a nipple shield around 6 weeks and now I pump over 50 oz a day-- you can bring it back. You must be absolutely diligent to the minute about pumping on a schedule just as your baby would eat on. I never go less than 20 minutes. I also drink about 200 oz of water ?day. Best of luck---I have almost 2000 oz stored in the deep freezer and am so proud that we've almost made our first 6 month goal of EPing (although I could never stop now).

Want a personalized experience?

pumping for the nicu

Re: pumping for the nicu

Choose Another Board

Search Boards