preemie breastmilk/pumping question

daphne814 · April 2012

The binder the NICU sent home with BFing info keeps mentioning that preemie breastmilk is different than regular breastmilk. Does anyone know anything about how it is different? Also, any tips for increasing supply? I was doing really well for a while, I'd even get up to 7oz a session some mornings. I'm not sure if the stress of everything is getting to me, or what, but now I typically get 3-4oz in the morning. Is this normal? Is there anything I can do to build it back up? I really want to be able to nurse my little guy when he's big enough. Thanks for any advice

ChristieNRN · April 2012

My LC said 3-4 is beyond normal. They said a normal amount is 2 oz total from each pumping session.

My son is now 6 weeks old or 36 weeks gestation.

I pump and put the milk in bottles and we have to fortify his milk with enfacare to make it 24 calories so that he gains weight. Breast milk is 20 calories/oz.

Mothers milk tea, fenugreek and kangaroo care will all help your supply.

My son is still not able to latch on because he is so tiny but we are hoping by the time he is full term, he will be able to.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

AlwaysSunny925 · April 2012

The difference in the milk is that your body produces whatever your child is lacking due to his prematurity, mainly antibodies. That's why it's important, at first, to give the baby your milk in order of pumping.

DrRx · April 2012

I've read that it is also higher in calories, since the body knows that you had a preemie ,as well as other antibodies, etc.

Are you sleeping at least 5 or 6 hours a night? Staying hydrated and eating relatively well? I know that stress definitely plays a part.

brknwings0313@yahoo.com · April 2012

i have premmie twin boys born at 30 weeks whom are now 33weeks adjusted age, 3 weeks old, and i am ready to give up on pumping, ive tried everything mother love vitamin supplement, fenugreek, reglan perscription everything and im still not getting over 20ml a session and it doesnt matter if i pump every 2 hours or every 4 hours i still get the same amount, its soo frustrating!

sbphotos · April 2012

brknwings0313@yahoo.com:
i have premmie twin boys born at 30 weeks whom are now 33weeks adjusted age, 3 weeks old, and i am ready to give up on pumping, ive tried everything mother love vitamin supplement, fenugreek, reglan perscription everything and im still not getting over 20ml a session and it doesnt matter if i pump every 2 hours or every 4 hours i still get the same amount, its soo frustrating!

I only get between 20-30ml per session too! SO frustrating. My guy was born at 29 weeks and we are now just over 3 weeks old too. I'm having a terrible time keeping up with the 2-3 hr pump schedule and have slept through the night too many times. Worried I'm ruining it for myself. I'm just SO tired, I set my alarm and then turn it off in my sleep. Ugh.

I bought fenugreek and a heating pad tonight. Plan on massaging before my next pump and putting the heating pad on them a bit. I've been more diligent today, but it's been a REALLY bad supply day. Barely getting 20ml. Praying that I can keep up with him! He's only 2lb 4oz and eating 16-17ml every 3 hrs. They also started fortifying it. I guess I gotta just keep pumpin'.

snoangel79 · April 2012

That sound like an awesome supply! I know it flucuates throughout the day though. So you may get a ton one pump and not so much the other time. That is really good though! I'm jealous! I had twins and could only feed my daughter for a little over a month. My supply was about 2 ounce a pump... All I know is drink a ton of water if you want more and pump at least 8 times in a 24 hour period. Plus you can do the supplements (I tried the Mother's Milk one) but apparently you have to drink like 5 cups a day to make a difference! I worked a lot with a lactation consultant also... I just haven't been able to do good enough >: My daughter recently started mostly formula because the demand has increased and pumping and feeding twins was burning me out (maybe 2-3 hours of sleep on a good night)...

E&RMommy · April 2012

Moms of preterm infants produce higher caloric content milk for at least the first month of life. The average is around 24 kcal/oz. However, I did research on caloric content of donor breast milk for three years. We found many moms who made even higher caloric content up to 30 kcal/oz! Those moms usually had micro-premies.

Have you watched the stanford video for max production while pumping? Watch it!! I only ever pumped due to poor latch of my babies, and I wish I had seen it. Just google Stanford max production.

Hopefully you can do as much Kangaroo care as you can as soon as he is big enough. That may really help with your supply. Just make sure you're pumping every 2-3 hours around the clock. Maybe you should ask your OB or lactation consultant at the hospital for meds to help increase your supply. Oatmeal and lactation cookies really helped me.

E&RMommy · April 2012

And hang in there. You're doing an awesome job! Having a premie is so stressful. Just remember to take it one day at a time. Any breastmilk you make is a great gift for your baby.

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