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Pumping question... Am i making enough milk?

CirbyloverCirbylover member
in Babies: 0 - 3 Months
My baby boy was born a week ago today. I've been pumping every 2-3 hours ever since. He was born 6 weeks premature and is in the nicu. I've been pumping and pumping but so far I only average .5 ounces a session. and my little man is eating almost 3 times that right now. I was thinking about starting to take fenugreek to help me catch up but i didn't know if i should give in to herbal remedies already... I need some advice.
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Re: Pumping question... Am i making enough milk?

  • ms12345ms12345 member

    That's about what I got too... my DD was born five weeks early, also spent time in the NICU. I forget which day it happened, but one day my supply just skyrocketed and I was able to produce enough so they didn't have to supplement with formula any more. I think it was around the week mark that I went from getting a few milliliters per breast to about an ounce per breast. Now I'm up to 2-3 ounces per breast!

    Good luck and hope your baby has a short stay in the NICU!

    STM due Feb. 2017!
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  • numeria11numeria11 member

    I would hold off on the herbs for a bit usually your milk supply tends to come in around a week and a half or so after they are born before that they mostly are just getting colstrom.  Also given that your LO is preterm your body may just be playing catch up as far as getting in your milk so I would give it a couple days.  Talk to your LOs pedi or your OB about your concerns and they can better guide you. 

     In the mean time you may want to try eating oatmeal for breakfast since that can also help boost your supply a bit and its good for ya anyway :).  Also try to relax when you pump, if you are stressed out (which given the NICU situation you probably are), and then are watching that bottle as you pump it will make it even harder to get anything when you pump, read a book or watch TV or something to take your mind off pumping and it will hopefully let you have a better let down.  Good luck, dont stress about your supply just yet sounds like you already have a lot on your hands. Hope your little one is home and healthy soon!

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  • AimTimAimTim
    Wait until your milk comes in fully. I didnt start pumping until my little one was 1 month old. I found that it is easier for me to express manually rather than pumping. I get more quicker and its alot less of a hassle. More convienant too.
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  • JoJoGeeJoJoGee member

    I feel your pain.  My DD was born 14 weeks early.  I have been pumping since day one and my milk is still increasing (slowly but surely).  I can't say there was a day when my milk "came in" and I don't make as much as I would like to, but I continue pumping and my milk is slowly increasing.

    I would talk to a lactation consultant.  Your NICU nurses should be able to call one in for you.  You might be using the wrong size flanges and they can give you more guidance about the fenugreek.

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  • Doodle2011Doodle2011
    Drink tons of fluids and eat lots of nutritious foods.  Also, sounds silly, but think of your LO when you are pumping. Don't distract with watching tv or talking to others.  Really pretend you are nursing.  I know when I just hold my baby, even when it's not time for a feeding, I will get a letdown and start leaking milk. Talk to a lactation consultant at the hospital too.  Sometimes you just need reassurance that you are doing the right things!
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