eMiLee920

katie4253 · July 2012

I just wanted to check in to see how you were doing. I've been thinking of you a lot after your post the other day about pumping. Hugs!

eMiLee920 · July 2012

I'm doing better, at least emotionally, for now. Thank you for your concern! My supply still isn't where it was, but it's not quite as bad as it was when I posted either. I'm trying to get more sleep in, but I wake up anyway for the bathroom and then can't sleep when I know I can go pump. So I just try to get in a couple naps during the day. I think the stress was a bigger factor as I had several appts and was worried about how to work them into my day and still be able to pump every 2 hours - or at least to get enough pumps in total for the day.

DH actually cut the nurse off last night. Every time we get a new nurse and they see what I've pumped they start trying to give me suggestions to increase. Halfway through her well meaning questioning he jumped in all "she's tried all that and already been through this with the LC." I'm thinking about talking to the social worker about because I know they mean well, but the constant prodding & reminder doesn't help much either. It's depressing enough watching them empty 9 bottles into just one (which doesn't even cover 2 full feedings).

I still only make *maybe* 65-75 mL in one DAY. But he's doing well on formula and gets BM for at least 1 feed, so at least he's getting something. It's not even that I'm opposed to formula so much as I want the connection and bonding. I'm trying to take it one day at a time and hoping he gets to come home soon so I can at least try.

katie4253 · July 2012

I am so glad your H cut her off. You are right, the constant prodding is so draining when you are doing everything you can to just keep it together, let alone pump!

I am a member of another preemie group and these two things were brought up today. I am sure you've seem them/tried them. But, they weren't suggestions in the last post, so I thought I'd throw them out there. I hope it isn't offensive. I just though, "oh! I don't think that was in the post to eMiLee!!"

Suggestion 1: Powerpumping. Choose 1 hour a day. Pump 10 mins on, 10 mins off for an hour. I always did the last pump before bed. It is supposed to simulate cluster feeding and bump up your supply. Do this for a week and then just return to normal pumping.

Suggestion 2: Check out these videos about hand expression I was able to get a lot more out when I expressed by hand after I pumped.

I also wanted to tell you, I always pumped for 30 mins. Well, 25, but then it took 5 to set up and break down. I know some people say that you only pump 15-20. But, that never worked for me. I guess I have slow boob.s

I had a really low supply in the beginning and it was so hard.

eMiLee920 · July 2012

I'm not offended. When I posted last time, I was just really down and at the end of patience and not really receptive to listening to suggestions. Esp since I've tried most of them with no luck. I'm definitely still open to suggestions.

I've been doing a variation of power pumping (20 min, then 10 on and off til I hit an hour) every morning for the past 3 weeks. Maybe I'll switch it to the night and give it a break after a week.

I have tried hand expression, but I can't seem to get the hang of it! I get frustrated because nothing's happening and give up in a fit. I'll give it another shot though.

I've been doing 20 min more often than 15. I did 25 for a while and then the LC told me that was way too long! But sometimes I still have milk dripping out at 20 - my milk rarely ever does anything but drip out.

I know the last resort is domperidone, but my husband is really opposed to ordering drugs off the internet. In addition, I had some weird test results come back on my liver last year (elevated enzymes, never found a cause and they went back down own their own), so I'm hesitant to take anything without my doctor's knowledge/advice. And she's never heard of it. I tried to get her to do a bunch of blood work on the advice of a second LC (hormone/prolactin levels, thyroid, blood sugar) and she doesn't run unnecessary tests. She would only run the thyroid because in her opinion, that's the only thing that can be "fixed." And she only did it to humor me because she's never had the results come back anything but normal. Mine included. I would like the others run so at least I'd *know*, but I'm tired of fighting for answers. I don't even have a GP to go to because I usually just go to urgent care if I have a problem.

katie4253 · July 2012

eMiLee920:
I've been doing 20 min more often than 15. I did 25 for a while and then the LC told me that was way too long! But sometimes I still have milk dripping out at 20 - my milk rarely ever does anything but drip out.

I always had a 3rd letdown around minute 22. It was hard on my nips, but they got better. For my slow boobies, there was no way around it.

You shouldn't feel like you need to try other drugs. Just do the best you can (which you ARE). Those drugs aren't for everyone and if you have had some wonky liver enzymes in the past, I don't blame your H for being a little nervous.

I'll keep sending you good vibes! I am really glad to hear you are feeling better emotionally.

How is your LO doing?

eMiLee920 · July 2012

He's doing great! His feeds have been upped to 40mL and they tried him on a bottle yesterday. He took almost half (yay!) so they're giving him one every 12 hours so he can work on it. He hasn't had any apnea/brady spells in the last few days despite being on room air. I think they decreased the pressure in his cannula too. If he keeps going with his weight gain, he should hit 5 lbs by the end of the week.

The nurse also said he was moved to one of the step-down rooms. Hopefully it's for good this time (last time he had a major breathing problem after a week and needed a transfusion). I feel like there's finally a light at the end - faint because he's still got a little way to go, but I can finally see it!

ashk7 · July 2012

Congrats on your LO doing so well!!! Sounds like he is on his way!!!! Keeping him in my t&p Also I lurked on your last post and just wanted to send my encouragement!!! You are doing a great job, that's fantastic that he is getting at least one whole feed from you! Great job mama!!!!!! I have been EPing for almost 5 months now, dd is home but we could never really get the hang BFing. Its hard work!! I know this thread isn't about suggestions so you can stop reading now if you don't want any advice! One thing that helped me was actually massaging each breast as I was pumping, don't know if you have tried that but that's something that helped me, seemed to push out every last drop! You are obviously very well educated in how to up your supply and are doing a wonderful job!!!! Keep your head up and keep up the good work!

katie4253 · July 2012

I am so glad he is doing so well! Fingers crossed that he is home sooner than later! After my little guy started taking a bottle things seemed to move so fast. I hope that is the case for you too!

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