Lactating Issues?

Question

Greetings:

I am in need of some help, my baby boy is currently in the NICU and I am using a manual pump and just received an electric pump; here is my question," What can I do to increase my milk supply?" (A week and a half ago) I was producing almost 2oz. and now barely 1oz. my left breast is barely contributing, while my right breast is doing most of the work.
I'm feeling a little frazzled, not sure what to do?

Answer 1

Pump with an electric hospital grade double pump.

Pump every 2 hours around the clock for approx 20 mins at each session.

Supply and demand - the more you pump, the more you should make.

Talk to the Lactation Consultant in the hospital and to you local La Leche League for one on one help.

Answer 2

First off, I hope all is well with your little boy. I know it must be tough with him in the NICU.

The best thing to do to increase your milk supply is to pump in the same general schedule, amount that your baby would nurse. As a newborn, babies nurse about once every two hours. (That's 2 hours from the beginning of a feeding, so- if you nurse from 10- 10:25, your next session would start around 12.) I'm not going to get into the physiology of lactation, but the demand for milk determines the supply.

Another way to increase your supply is to drink LOTS of water. Try to drink at least 12 glasses to the average person's 8.

There are also herbs that you can take to help increase your supply, or prescription medication. But I'd suggest trying the first two before looking into these options.

Answer 3

Breast milk is developed based on supply and demand. You should be pumping every two hours, which is the frequency at which your new baby will feed. Once you start doing this, your milk production should increase dramatically.

Also, be sure you are following some basic principals:

* Drink tons of water and fluids. Milk cannot be produced if you are lacking hydration.

* Keep a chart of your pumping. How often, how much.

* Meet with a lactation consultant at the hospital. Have her check to see that you are using the pump properly. Have her talk to you about frequency, etc.

* Use warm compresses on your breasts before pumping. The breast gets very hard and sometimes that makes it difficult to express milk fully. The warm compresses help to soften the tissue and pump better. Warm showers also help.

* Massage your breast before pumping. This also helps to soften the tissue and increase volume.

* Stress is your enemy. Do everything you can to relax. It must be so very hard for your baby to be in the NICU and you be at home. But he is in good hands, and you will surely have him with you soon. Relax, do breathing exercises. Stress can totally make your milk dry up or not come in, so do everything you can to relax. Get support from friends and family. Meditation and prayer are big helpers.

* Finally, a mom can often not pump as much milk as she can produce because of stress. Pumping will not always get all of the milk you have.

Again, talk to a lactation specialist at the hospital, or contact one through them. I hope and pray you bring your baby home soon, and that all will be terrific. God bless!

Answer 4

I feel your pain, I know this must be a very difficult time for you. If you are very very soon after the birth, maybe a c/section? Your milk could just be late in coming in. THe more often you get to that pump, the better. If your baby is healthy enough, holding your baby skin-to-skin is the best thing you can do to encourage lactation, even if baby is not strong enough to nurse yet. Kangaroo Care is proven to be THE best thing for premature babies. Google Kangaroo Care for more info if you'd like.

Try pumping while you are next to your baby. And as SOON as baby is strong enough, begin putting him to the breast, even if he is not able to suckle, your mothering horomones will run much stronger in his proximity. Having pictures of him, or a blanket with his smell, etc, can help too.

And GOOD FOR YOU for sticking to it. I know it's hard work. Keep it up, mama, that baby will thank you in the long run because you are helping to make him strong with YOUR MILK - - THE best thing that he can be having right now

Answer 5

Having the electric pump should help tremendously. It's a matter of supply and demand. The electric pump will be much more effective than the manual one. I never had any luck with a manual one.
Blessings,
P~

Answer 6

make sure to pump on a regular basis just as if the baby were feeding it all works on a supply and demand schedule