Breastfeeding help!!!!!!?

Question

My son was born on this past Thursday via c-section 2 months early and is in the NICU. I started using a breast pump on the 6th and my milk supply still hasn't come in; I only get a few drops. Has anyone experienced this? How long did it take for your milk to come in? I'm pumping every 2 hours for 15 minutes.

Answer 1

My son was born tounge tied 5 months ago and never was able to latch on. I was determined to give him breastmilk so I am exclusivey pumping (aka EPing) and have been since his birth. I have not had to supplament with formula. Here is my advice:

1. Be sure to use a hospital rental piston pump. You will not see results with the store bought ones. They are not powerful enough. (Although if I am out of the house I have used the Isis battery operated one and it is ok for ocassional use)

2. Your milk will come in (it may take a few days longer) and it will seem like NOTHING at first. You may pump for 20 minutes and get a total of 1-2 oz. This is OK and totally normal. I think pumping mom's freak out when they see how little milk we actually produce. I know I did.

3. Don't expect milk to "spray" out. I have a very slow flow. This is also normal. You can also expect multiple let downs. (Milk may flow for a minute or two, than stop for a few minutes and start back up again. I usually get 2 to 3 letdowns while pumping.)

4. Pump around the clock to establish a milk supply. I established a supply by pumping 8 times in a 24 hour period for 20 minutes at a time. It is the number of times you pump that is the most important- not the number of minutes but I do think you should do 20 minutes if you can. 15 minutes I think is not enough. Also...if you are using a piston pump that you can adjust the suction- don't go crazy and put it on "high" thinking you are going to stimulate milk production. You will just end up with sore boobs. Trust me on this one!
More suction does NOT equal more milk. I actually produced more milk with less suction because I was more comfortable.
You will have to pump around the clock for about 8-10 weeks to establish a good flow. I have a pumping station set up in my bedroom which I recommend.

5. Massage your breasts before pumping. A hot shower is also known to help stimulate milk flow.

6. As a last resort you can take some herbal supplements. I did this for a few days when my son was 2 months old and I thought my supply was dropping. It worked for me. I took fenugreek and blessed thistle for 2 days until my supply was back to normal. However I would not recommend doing this right away. Exhaust every other option first.

7. This little tidbit I wish I would have known:
I thought I was not going to make enough milk because my body was not increasing the output and I thought my son would be increasing his intake. This is not true! Here are the facts: Formula will always have the same number of calories per ounce so as the baby grows and needs more calories he will need more ounces of formula. Breasmilk is different. The longer you breastfeed the more caloric it becomes so you really don't need to increase the amount your baby eats by much. My son is 5 months old and takes about 5-6 bottles in a 24hr period with 5oz of pumped breastmilk in each bottle. When he was born he only took an ounce or two but it was a gradual increase to this 5oz marker and this is where he will stay- he is thriving! Remember: The longer you pump your body will make richer, more caloric milk to meet your baby's nutritional needs. Your body will not make more milk.

All that being said- it IS possible to start and maintain a milk supply without having a baby latch on. It is time consuming and you have to stick with it (no skipping pumping sessions) but it can be done. I have even been able to pump and freeze about 3 weeks worth of milk. I now only pump 4 times a day, with no night pumps. (once in the am, around 3pm, 6pm and before bed)

However- it sounds to me that you are pumping colostrum (the liquid gold before your milk comes in) and even if your baby just gets that and you switch to formula you will have accomplished alot! Everyday is better than nothing. My goal was 4 months. I set a new goal for 6 months. Please just get a good support system behind you.

Sorry this was so long in posting- but I wanted to be thourough so you can get a sense of what to expect.
Best wishes for you and your son....hope he can come home to you soon!

Answer 2

I am 17 and I do breast feed, it is extremely effortless and powerful... How does breastfeeding improvement the mummy? Eat extra and shed some pounds quicker: A breastfeeding mom demands 500 additional energy an afternoon seeing that the frame burns that quantity at the same time breastfeeding. She'll be again in her pre-being pregnant form swiftly. It's effortless and handy: There's not anything to shop for or get ready so it offers the mummy a lot more freedom. Breasts are consistently there and the milk is consistently hot and able. The mom can snooze for the period of night time feedings There's an excessively distinctive bond among Mother and Baby and it is the ordinary approach to feed There's much less spitting up, no stains and the poop does not odor! Protects towards a few breast and ovarian cancers: While breastfeeding, estrogen phases are very low. Research has proven that the longer you breastfeed, the dangers for those cancers is going down MAY extend menstrual interval: Again, estrogen phases are low and lots of ladies believe they are good blanketed from conceiving, however ovulation might nonetheless arise It's an powerful trust booster: Mothers are particularly equipped to make use of their ordinary capacity Believe it or no longer, there may be little or no embarrassment: It's effortless to nurse discreetly and modestly Feels excellent How does breastfeeding improvement the little one? Protects towards ear infections, colds, and viruses: If the little one does have any of the above, the severity will without doubt be lessened seeing that of the safeguard from the breastmilk Helps mind to develop and expand Less studying and behaviour problems Less diaper rash and different epidermis disorders Less colic, much less crying Easy to digest: It is nearly not possible to have a constipated breastfed little one! Less diarrhea Protects towards Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, leukemia, a few early life cancers, and juvenile-onset diabetes Benefits center wellbeing Fewer journeys to the health care professional and hospitalizations Babies LOVE the style

Answer 3

Congratulations on your baby boy. I'm a materity nurse (almost 13 years now) and have seen many moms with worries about their milk coming in. Is there a lactation consultant available to help you? I've noticed that moms who have delivered their babies by c/s often need a day or two longer to have their milk come in. Your body has not only given birth, but has had major surgery as well. Give yourself time. It is good that you are pumping, but are you sleeping enough? Not to mention eating and drinking enough? During the day try pumping every three hours from the beginning of one pumping session to the beginning of another pumping session. (9 am, 12 noon, 3 pm, 6 pm, 9 pm, 12 mn) Night pumping is important, but have a longer stretch between pumping so you can get some deep restorative sleep. Pump at 4 am, then get a good stetch of sleep until about 8:30, then begin pumping again at 9 am. Try this for a few days to allow yourself to rest and heal. Then begin pumping every three hours around the clock. When you do pump, apply the pump to one breast for 5 min, switch to the other breast for 5 min, then go back to the first breast for 5-6 min and finally back to the second breast for 5-6 min. This is 20-22 minutes total. Are you able to bring something that has the sweet new baby smell of your son home with you? Maybe a little hat, or a blanket he has been wearing? Just before you begin to pump, sniff the item and continue to smell it frequently during the pumping session. Are you able to 'kangaroo' your baby in the NICU? This is when the baby is taken out of the isolette and placed on your bare chest for a few minutes. This has been proven to help with success in breastfeeding. Is your son intubated? If not, it would be of benefit to kangaroo him and encourage him to be near the breast. Even if he is unable to attempt nursing, just having him close to you does wonders! There are also herbal remedies to promote lactation, but this should be discussed with a lactation consultant and qualified herbalist. I know a L.C. who promotes fenugreek, but that is for 'term' babies. I am unsure if it is OK for mothers milk for preterm babies.

Keep trying and good luck. I hope your son is healthy and comes home to you as soon as possible.

Answer 4

Firstly congratulations. It will normally take up to a week for your milk to came in. The only problem is and the nurses at the hospital should have told you this is that if you cannot put your baby to the breast to stimulate the supply, you will not have or get a good milk supply. To continuously pump does not stimulate the glands as a child sucking. If you are not able to put your baby to the breast due to reasons of bub being in the NICU then speak to a lactation consultant at the hospital ASAP and they might have some ways for you to get you milk flowing. Eat & drink well, try to get sleep and try to remain as stress free where possiable - all of this counts too.

Answer 5

It will take longer using the pump than it will the actual baby, and 3 - 5 days is normal with a baby. Keep up the good work that only YOU can do! If your production is still low by the end of the week, have the Lactation Consultant who rented you the pump check the size of the 'horns' (the piece that fits onto your breast, they come in sizes and size does matter!

Answer 6

Congratulations on your new baby, i hope he gets to come home to you soon. Just keep pumping, you are doing the right thing. Also make sure at night that you set your alarm to get you up to pump every two hours. Your milk will come in, but keep pumping that colostrum its sooo good for the baby. Good Luck, Glad you are breastfeeding!!

Answer 7

I was unable to breast feed my daughter, I just never produced enough milk, I tried for 3 mos. and then gave up. She was hungry all the time and I sat under her all the time. It just didn't work. What about The Laleech website, they may help. They have people at most hospitals to advise and help you with this now. They didn't have them when I had my daughter back when. Get on the website and see what they say and call tom. and ask if they have help ath the hospital where the baby is. good luck.

Answer 8

Keep it up, Mama! It will come in, give it a few more days. It will flow much better once your son is able to latch on and nurse. Take advantage of the lactation specialist in the hospital, they are there for you. Make sure you are feeding yourself well, getting lots of water and sleeping enough.You are doing the best thing you can for that little man- be proud of yourself.

Answer 9

You need to be talking to the experts. Sadly since he was so early your body was not completly prepared for him. They may need to give you hormones to induce you supply. Normally you would have the colostrum immediately then milk in a few days. Ask about the hormones, they were developed to give adoptive parents the chance to nurse. It's great that your still trying don't give up and good luck

Answer 10

Make sure you are relaxed as possible while pumping, drink a glass of water, OJ etc, while pumping. Call the hospitals lactation consultants. They are wonderful and will be able to give you pointers.