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BTDT moms: NICU and Breastfeeding?

Soon2bemissGSoon2bemissG member
in September 2016 Moms
Anyone here have any experience with attempting to breastfeed with a NICU stay? 

My DD was born 5 weeks early via emergency c/s. She was given formula before I even got a change to get back out of recovery. Anyway I started pumping right away and thankfully by day two she was on breastmilk. After that we never could get breastfeeding. I didn't get much support from the NICU nurses. I'm pretty sure they found bottles easier for them so never bothered offering to help. This time (my doctor is assuming this little lady will be early again) I am hoping to get her nursing, I detest pumping. I'll do it if I have to but it's not my choice to do full time if I can help it. So that being said anyone had a similar situation but managed to get LO nursing? Did you need a LC? Unfortunately there is only one LC where I'm delivering and I don't have an option of going somewhere else so hopefully she's available but she might not be. 
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Re: BTDT moms: NICU and Breastfeeding?

  • Cricket BugCricket Bug member
    I had a similar experience with DD, though I was practically manhandled into pumping. Make that literally - I had a nurse at my boob with a syringe 5 minutes after I was out of OR. I exclusively pumped for about 2 months before DD was big/strong enough to try breastfeeding, and absolutely sought the help of the hospitals LC. I had minimal luck using a nipple shield, and only slightly better luck without. I think it was a combo of both me (the sensation was sooo weird after pumping), and DD (what, I have to work for my food?!). I too am hoping to avoid pumping again this time around. Sorry, not a success story, but more a 'you aren't by yourself' commiseration. 
    Natural M/C 03.26.2012 at 10w2d
    Charlotte born at 28w3d due to severe IUGR on 12.24.2012 Merry Christmas!
    Missed M/C discovered 12.22.2014 at 8w1d measuring 6w3d
    2015 was a year to test strength of both body and character, but it led us to this... BFP 01.26.2016 EDD 9.30.2016
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  • ThscaryThscary member
    edited June 2016
    Edit because I may have given bad advice.
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  • Flowr4246Flowr4246 member
    Thscary said:
    I have no experience with this as I am a FTM, but I am reading book now that suggested that if you are able, try expressing colostrum around 32 weeks or more and freezing it for the event the baby is born early and needs to be in NICU. Obviously, this would only be a small amount and not a lasting supply. Beyond that I have no knowledge/tips.
    That's not really a great idea because pumping enough to freeze at that stage of pregnancy could also stimulate early labor (nipple stimulation) which sounds exactly like what the OP is trying to avoid.
     
    Piper, 4/10/10
    Connor, 3/16/15
    Morgan, EDD 9/22/16



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  • ThscaryThscary member
    Flowr4246 said:
    Thscary said:
    I have no experience with this as I am a FTM, but I am reading book now that suggested that if you are able, try expressing colostrum around 32 weeks or more and freezing it for the event the baby is born early and needs to be in NICU. Obviously, this would only be a small amount and not a lasting supply. Beyond that I have no knowledge/tips.
    That's not really a great idea because pumping enough to freeze at that stage of pregnancy could also stimulate early labor (nipple stimulation) which sounds exactly like what the OP is trying to avoid.
    Yikes. I should probably go back and re-read that and see if I read it wrong. I think the author was talking about hand expressing a small amount and not a supply for sustained feeding, like just enough for an immune boost, not sure if that makes a difference in stimulating early labor?
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  • Shiva14Shiva14 member
    Thscary said:
    Flowr4246 said:
    Thscary said:
    I have no experience with this as I am a FTM, but I am reading book now that suggested that if you are able, try expressing colostrum around 32 weeks or more and freezing it for the event the baby is born early and needs to be in NICU. Obviously, this would only be a small amount and not a lasting supply. Beyond that I have no knowledge/tips.
    That's not really a great idea because pumping enough to freeze at that stage of pregnancy could also stimulate early labor (nipple stimulation) which sounds exactly like what the OP is trying to avoid.
    Yikes. I should probably go back and re-read that and see if I read it wrong. I think the author was talking about hand expressing a small amount and not a supply for sustained feeding, like just enough for an immune boost, not sure if that makes a difference in stimulating early labor?
    It could still trigger labor yes. Nipple stimulation is one of the few things that actually work for getting labor going. However, even if the baby was born early, one would able to pump/express colostrum at that point. It would still get to the baby quicker than a stash in the freezer at home :) 
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  • diagonalleydiagonalley member
    My son was born 6 weeks early and like you they were feeding him formula right away but also set me up to pump right away, too. On day 2 they had me start nursing, with the assistance of a lactation consultant. You should definitely inquire about one to help should you find yourself in a similar situation. By that night I was able to pump enough for them to bottle feed bm at night and nurse during the day. I had to use a nipple shield for about 7 months until one day DS ripped it off and latched without it. So overall it was a successful bf experience for me, but the LC was key in getting it going. Best of luck with you and the new lo!  Hoping for an on time arrival :)
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  • Soon2bemissGSoon2bemissG member

    @Thscary. I get what your trying to say. I have read that too. I'm already leaking colostrum... Ugh but I need to ask my doctor more about this. Thanks for reminding me!  


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  • PSUBecky23PSUBecky23 member
    Helpful info: https://breastfeedingtoday-llli.org/breast-milk-and-the-strong-immune-system/
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    Due 9/14/16

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  • Flowr4246Flowr4246 member
    Soon2bemissG said:

    @Thscary. I get what your trying to say. I have read that too. I'm already leaking colostrum... Ugh but I need to ask my doctor more about this. Thanks for reminding me!  


    Yeah, leaking colostrum is totally normal, especially in later pregnancies.  I started leaking with this one around 23 weeks.  But that's totally different than stimulating your breasts enough to produce enough to freeze.  Even doing it by hand, you're going to trigger hormones that could stimulate labor.

    I remember hooking myself up to my pump with DS to try to get labor going with my son.  But I didn't do that until I had already gone past my due date.  And each time I tried, my BH contrax started rolling.  I wouldn't monkey with it if you've had a history of premature labor.
     
    Piper, 4/10/10
    Connor, 3/16/15
    Morgan, EDD 9/22/16



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  • ThscaryThscary member
    @Soon2bemissG definitely worth asking doctor about. I attached the excerpt I was referencing, It is from Ina May's Guide to Breastfeeding (great read so far, with some excellent tips). Hopefully you won't need the NICU again this time and if you do I hope the staff is more helpful this go around :)

    I don't want to take you off topic of your OP, but did further research after re reading excerpt  and breast stimulating appears to only start labor if you're already at term. Before that oxytocin receptors on uterus are down regulated and blocked by progesterone. Not sure if it still applies with a history of pre term labor though.


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  • AnnaS930AnnaS930 member
    edited June 2016
    I'm wondering if you are in a similar situation and have to pump, if you'd be able to use the colostrum you get and feed it to baby via a syringe and small tube/catheter into his/her mouth.. but run it right along your boob?  For the first couple of days if my little man wasn't latching well, I'd wear a rubber glove and have him suckle my finger while running a tube with colostrum alongside to get some into him after unsuccessful feeding attempts.  Maybe shooting some colostrum his way while suckling at the nipple would make for an easier transition once baby is a bit bigger?

    ... This is completely unfounded advice, just a thought
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