new near term preemie mom - Lots of BF and Pumping Qs

ECHC829 · April 2012

I'm sorry if this is asked frequently or recently...

I just had my baby on Wednesday at 35w2d and she currently weighs 4lb12oz. At the hospital we were doing 15-15-15 (nurse, pump, formula). My milk came in now and we no longer have use formula. We now increased her bottles to an ounce every 2.5-3 hours or so.

I'm so confused about pumping.

I offer the breast each feed first. Sometimes she's alert and will latch and suckle for a while... not amazing, but does an okay job. Most of the time she's too sleepy and doesn't wake up enough to BF and will just slurp down the milk I express by manipulation. I would like to eventually primarily BF so I dont know if pumping is hurting or helping my supply. Right now I just want to get her as much milk as possible so she'll grow. Here's all my Q's:

Should I pump after every feeding?

How long should I be pumping for?

How many ounces should be aiming for each time? (do i pump for time or for ounce)

Whats the best way to store milk? (Freezer bags, refrigerated bottles?)

Am I ruining our chances at EBF by giving her a bottle each feeding now (though she really needs the extra calories)?

Is it possible to ruin your supply right away?? I was completely engorged yesterday, fed her and pumped a lot, but today, pumped this morning then we were out all day at pedi, then outpatient getting tested for jaundice, and then getting her set up with a billi blanket and I haven't pumped since morning. My boobs are so small again, did I screw up (PP hormones are killing me, I feel like I'm doing this all wrong!)

rparks8467 · April 2012

I have a preemie in the NICU right now too. The reason they can't BF the entire time is cause they burn too many calories and fall asleep. Keep doing it so the baby is used to it (before bottle).

I also plan to BF fully once my son can tollerate an entire feeding. For the meantime you should pump every three to four hours to keep your supply up. When your baby comes home he/she will also have feedings in that timeframe so if your body gets used to emptying every 3-4 hours you will produce enough to BF.

You should also pump after attempting to BF. You are stimulating them so much that you are going to have letdown (the tingling, tightening sensation)

20 min is usually all you need to breastpump for.

ECHC829 · April 2012

Thanks for the reply. My LO is actually home with me, sorry to hear your's is still in the NICU Sad I hope he/she gets to come home soon.

I'll get back on track of staying consistent with the pumping every 3 hours after each BF attempt (I'm attempting to BF on cue, about every 2-3) the problem is she's so sleepy. She is only alert for about 2 or 3 feedings tops which makes it really difficult, especially since I do have let down and end up leaking all over her since she doesn't really take it all in (she'll slurp up whatever I manipulate, but doesn't really get an active latch)

I just feel so clueless to what is right, since I know having a preemie is so different from a Full Term baby in terms of BF and needing the additional bottle for the calorie intake.

katie4253 · April 2012

Have you worked with a lactation consultant? I think they are going to be the most helpfu!

Your boob size has nothing to do with feeding. So, don't worry about that! Def. get in touch with an LC. They can do a weighted feed and give you tips for keeping your LO awake.

That said, LOTS of moms cannot BF until their LOs hit full term. Often a couple of weeks beyond their due date. Don't get discouraged if it doesn't happen right away.

ECHC829 · April 2012

Thank you all so far, this has made me feel a little more confident in what I'm doing (and should be doing) I really appreciate it! It's just so hard not knowing what to go by since this situation is not the "norm".

I also contacted one of the lactation warm lines, and will most likely be scheduling a lactation consultant appt just to make sure I get BF down correctly.

haziedaze · April 2012

I think you've gotten great advice, but I wanted to chime in a little to share my favorite BF reference site. Check out some of the articles I've linked that directly address your questions and make sure to see an LC asap to get baby's latch evaluated... good luck!

Pumping to establish supply: https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/maintainsupply-pump/

How milk production works: https://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/basics/milkproduction-faq/

Storage: https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/milkstorage/milkstorage-preemie/

ECHC829 · April 2012

Thank you soo much for the links HazieDazie, they REALLY helped!

(ps this is ehayes1183, i changed my sn a while back... good to "see" you!)

haziedaze · April 2012

Hey there!! Sorry you're having to do the pumping thing- it just plain stinks, but happy the links helped. Even though it was a while ago I remember the struggles of nursing a sleepy preemie who didn't want to open his mouth half the time like it was yesterday! We managed and are still going strong. Hoping the same for you!

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new near term preemie mom - Lots of BF and Pumping Qs

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