LO in nicu, pumping at home

crsanchez87 · March 2015

hello all,

I had our LO March 25th, he was early at 34 weeks but was a good size at birth, 6 lbs, 5 ounces and 19.5 inches. although he is sturdy, he is having preemie difficulties with breathing. I am determined to breast feed but even though we did get some skin on contact when he was born and he did get some breast contact, I have not been able to feed him myself yet. I have been pumping and have taken the colostrum I have produced to the unit and they started feeding him what I've produced supplemented with formula yesterday.

My concern/question is, how do you stay motivated to pump at home when baby is at hospital? I don't feel like I'm producing enough. At first I had enough to get into the storage container part but lately it has just been droplets around the shield. Is this normal for a few days after birth? I just am feeling a little discouraged and need some pointers. I will be going to the LLL meetings, there are some near where we live and also consulting the LC at the hospital but was wondering if anyone has had a similar experience. Thanks in advance!

allymas · March 2015

I'm on week 5 with my girls in the nicu (born at 32.2). Still pumping every 1.5 hours around the clock. My milk never really came in. Only making enough for about 1/2 their feedings, but better than nothing. Just hang in there! Hopefully your milk will come in (they said my situation was rare) within a week or so. Just think of all the good stuff you are giving them! It's really really hard but I just look at it this way: my babies are in the ICU and being taken care of by strangers. If my mill is the only thing I can do for them right now, I'm going to keep that up for as long as I can.....good luck and hang in there!!!!!

BBoyd2013 · March 2015

I would say it's normal. It took 3 days for my milk to come in. My son was also in the NICU and they would mix my colostrom with formula until I was producing enough. Just know that your milk is THE very best thing you can do for your preemie, or any baby

crsanchez87 · March 2015

Thank you both. I am so grateful for your advice right now. @allymas my thoughts are with you and your girls, you are a rock star!
I think I was getting psyched out because my mom has stated that she "couldn't make any milk". But I have to remember both the technology and the education on breast feeding was so different when she had me. I think if I keep at it and make it a priority then the milk will come. @allymas for how long are you pumping each time?

Critter015 · April 2015

My DD was born March 10th at 34 weeks 1 day, but she was only 4 lbs 8 oz (my other two kids were just over 6 lbs at full term). She didn't have breathing issues but spent 12 days in the NICU to learn to eat and overcome issues with jaundice. It is normal for it to take a while for your milk to come in, with my first it didn't come in until day 5, but with my other two it came in the evening of day 2, even with only pumping for my third. Hang in there with the pumping, I know it is no fun! At 23 days old DD is finally 5 lbs and I am able to nurse her directly once a day and supplement with a bottle afterwords. She is doing great and I think will eventually exclusively nurse, but the constant pumping, especially between motn feedings is really draining. I hope your milk has come in by now and that your little guy is doing well!

crsanchez87 · April 2015

Thanks @Critter015. That is really helpful and I'm glad your LO is home and getting all the love and care she needs. DS is hopefully coming home today. My milk has come in and now we are working through a little case of nipple confusion since he was being bottle fed in nicu. All we can do is take it one day at a time!

lmlee15 · April 2015

Im a fellow nicu mommy and was determined to breastfeed. I pumped the first several days and brought everything to nicu for when she was able to eat. My motivation was my LO. I knew how hard she was working and i wanted to work hard for her. You can do it!

mrsalvidrez · April 2015

I was in your exact situation. My little guy was born February 21 due April 7 (almost 7 weeks early). My colostrum and milk came in great but I couldn't feed my little guy till he was off cpap so I had to pump. The first week was definitely the hardest because I would wake up every three hours to pump as if he was there, some people would say "omg your so lucky you don't have to wake up to a crying baby to feed". I knew they were trying to be comforting but I felt like punching them and saying "do you know how demotivatkng it is to wake up to a pump vs a crying baby? And how hard it is to stay awake for said pump?" Anyways, the thing that really helped was when the lactation specialist told me I was producing enough milk to sleep through the night. Also pumping at the hospital bedside vs at home was much more relaxing because I was there with him vs alone with my pump. I wish you the best, I know this is a difficult time! On the plus side I was pumping so much that I built up a huge frozen milk supply and now my LO is home so I'm strictly breastfeeding so I have all that milk for later.

Charmedseed · April 2015

Hope it's going well! My LO came 7 weeks early as well, and I was encouraged to start pumping immediately (my amazing sister was at my side and got me started!). It was challenging because I had complications (a massive hematoma and subsequent incision dehiscence, lots of pain) with my c-section, but of all the things that went wrong with that, pumping went fantastic! The NICU finally told me to stop bringing in milk from home and just freeze it, ha!

The first few days are just a little colostrum, but as you continue milk will come! I was encouraged to pump for 15 minutes every three hours, and my supply has been great. Hang in there - you're doing the very best thing for your LO!

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