i recently gave birth to a baby boy, who had to be admitted in to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit immediately afterward, and is still there for a few more days.. Unfortunately, I was not able to breastfeed him in the NICU as I had hoped.. Today, I was finally given the chance.. Since they have been bottle feeding him (my pumped breast milk), he is just not latching on to the nipple... In fact, he hates it and cries and cries! of course, I am not giving up just yet, but in case he just doesn't get into the breastfeeding thing, I'm wondering if bottlefeeding him my breast milk is just as good.. I have a great electric pump and have been pumping every 2 - 3 hrs.. Can I do this indefinitely, or will my milk supply run out if I am only pumping?
2007-02-17 15:04:44 · 15 answers · asked by mj'smomma 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
your body produces milk using the supply and demand method. so long as the milk is being pumped or suckled from you, you will continue to lactate.
my daughter is 18 months old. I've not nursed her since she was 3 months old, but thanks to an electric pump I am still lactating full on.
by the way, congratulations to you for being so diligent! :)
good luck with the baby. angels are around him!!
2007-02-17 15:09:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can do this indefinitely. Many women have breastfed their babies for a whole year or more only through pumping. My oldest son was in the NICU at first and they wouldn't let me nurse him for four days. Then they would only use a bottle so that they knew how much he was eating. Finally the day before he got to come home they let me nurse. It was tough at first, its harder to suck from a breast than a bottle, but I was there for every feeding and offered him the breast and finally he took it. Keep at it, he will nurse eventually. Look at your nipples and the nipples of the bottle, I had to pinch my nipples and make them into the shape of the bottle nipple so he would latch on. You can do this, and how wonderful that you are choosing to give him breastmilk, he'll be home in no time. Good luck, my heart is with you, I was there too.
2007-02-17 15:28:02 · answer #2 · answered by Huggles-the-wise 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok so First...
Good for you for not giving up!
For the latching thingk, try breast nipple shields. They are thin plastic and fit right over your own. That will make him think by texture that it is a bottle nipple.
Bottlefeeding him your pumped milk IS just as good, I'm not sure what kind of breast pump you have, but medela makes really great freezer bags for expressed milk, that go right on the bottom of the pump and you just keep them in freezer (dont forget to label the date of either when you pumped or when they will go bad)
And Yes, as long as you keep pumping, your body and boobs are supply and demand. especially in the beginning. I think at around four months or maybe three your body learns to give only as much as is needed.
While breast feeding is so much more convient, you may think of the positives of bottle feeding too..... you can have others give a feeding for you and you can sleep! and you can add half and half of formula, if he needs more calories to gain weight!
Lots of moms have trouble the other way around, and when it's time to go from boob to bottle, the little ones won't go!!!
Good luck and e-mail me if you have any questions.
ambernanny@yahoo.com
2007-02-17 15:19:36 · answer #3 · answered by Princess 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as milk is being removed, your body will make more milk!
I think it's great that you are not giving up!
my son was not in the Nicu but refused to latch, I have been pumping for 4 1/2 months now and still have plentyt of milk. Just be sure to keep up the pumping!
And keep trying to get your son to latch, he may surprise you! at 2 months my baby boy decided he wanted to try nursing, he does it on occasion now, so its not hopeless! good luck!
2007-02-17 15:42:22 · answer #4 · answered by destified 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a chance that milk supply will last as long as you pump it and your baby needs it. Don't give up with breastfeeding anyway. Have you tried to put some milk on the nipple so he could at least get interested?
Good luck.
2007-02-17 15:11:24 · answer #5 · answered by GN 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your milk will not run out but for your own convenience, try to get him to latch. This can be done with the help of a lactation consultant (most hospitals have one on staff that you can talk to for free).
One thing that has helped lots of babies learn to latch after taking bottles is lots of skin to skn contact. Get in the bath with him. Lay in bed with him topless. That by itself will really help.
The reason I say that getting him to latch on you is easiest is because pumping can be hard work when you have to do it every 2-3 hours AND you still have to bottle feed your baby every 2-3 hours. It's like double work. But either way you are doing a great job and giving your baby the best start with breastmilk. Congrats!!
2007-02-17 16:47:05 · answer #6 · answered by mrsleslie_lady 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it won't run out. If you keep pumping every 2 to 3 hours until you're empty. You'll probably even produce more milk than if he was feeding off of you.
Keep offering him your nipple when he's hungry. Get a lactation specialist to show you other ways to get him to latch on.
Milk production is "supply and demand." The more you take out, the more you'll produce - regardless of how it comes out.
Congratulations and Best of luck.
2007-02-17 15:40:10 · answer #7 · answered by •√¡rgő• 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had trouble breastfeeding my son at first but I keep trying and didn't give up and we are still nursing and he is 9 mths now. It took me about 3 mth to make enough milk so I didn't have to supplement any more. I know that you will still make milk if you pump only but you will make more if you nurse your son. Make sure to have good support around you becasue as you know BFing is a tough job and sometimes you will have to be reminded why you are doing this......keep it up it is the best thing for your baby! Congrats!!!!
2007-02-21 14:09:55 · answer #8 · answered by punkmommy-2-1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mine lasted only a week with my first baby and a month with my second...(I don't have time to dedicate myself and only pump) Your milk supply needs to be stimulated by sucking... Ask your significant other to help with that (not a joke) It may give you the extra time you need to establish a baby latch. If it doesn't work there are great formulas out there like "Similac Advance w iron" They even have a hypo-allergenic formula...
Oh and it could be your diet... stay with fruits and veggies light spices... too much garlic or onion with taste bad to baby, light meats, and of coarse prenatals.
GOOD LUCK!!
2007-02-17 15:17:18 · answer #9 · answered by marymouse26 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your milk supply will last as long as there is demand for it. If you react well to the pump, then your supply should last as long as you are pumping, eating healthy, and drinking plenty of fluids. I pumped and nursed for 17 months (my son self-weaned), then pumped three or four times after that due to engorgement, and my breasts finally stopped leaking about 8 months later. Just in time for me to get pregnant again :P
Good luck!
2007-02-17 15:25:36 · answer #10 · answered by Christal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋