Question about Breast pumping?

Question

I have to pump right now, my daughter was born 12 weeks year and is in the NICU. Shes only been in there about 2 weeks, so shes not stable enough for me to nurse, and she is still on oxygen. So, until shes better all I can do is nurse. I am doing my best to pump every 3-4 hours, but it seems like I'm not getting very much. I usually don't wake up in the middle of the night, but the lady at the hospital said it was okay to do it every 3-4 hours during the day and once at night.

Anyway- Is there anything else I can do to help my milk supply? I want to have enough for her when she is ready to nurse. And if for some reason, she can't nurse, I still want to pump and bottle feed her that way.

Any advice?!

Answer 1

Try fenugreek. it costs about $25AUD from a health food store and it really works. GL  

Answer 2

Drink lots of water! I thought my midwife was just telling me this 'cause it was healthy, but when I did it I noticed my milk supply go way up!

Also, I've heard that oatmeal helps... the real stuff! You can even make cookies! And they make homeopathic "meds" to help.

Good luck!

Answer 3

do you have a hospital grade pump?

i would pump more often then that, at least until your supply is strong.

they should be tube feeding her everything you are pumping now.  breast milk is even more important for preemies.

Answer 4

EATING HEALTHY FOOD LIKE MEAT,OATMEAL AND DRINKING LOTS OF LIQUIDS HELP,ALSO CAFFIENE HELP TO PRODUCE MORE BUT MAKES THE BABY LIL FUSSY.STILL KEEP PUMPING AT REGULAR INTERVALS IT HELPS..YOU ALSO GET HERBAL MEDICATION CALLED "MOTHERS LOVE" (MADE OF FENUGREEK SEED)WHICH BOOSTS UP YOUR MILK SUPPLY ,I AM USING IT TRUST ME.YOU GET THIS IN HERBAL MEDICATION SHOPS LIKE CHINESE OR SO.

http://www.motherlove.com/product_more_m...

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 5

my 2nd an 3rd child were both prem an in nicu so i also had to do this, with my 2nd it didn't work an my milk dried up but i managed to keep it going with my 3rd child an now im breastfeeding my 7 week old...I had a prescription for domperindome which boosts your milk supply an i found it was really good, keep pumping for about 15 mins each side every 3 hours...even if your not getting much milk out at the moment the stimulation of the pump will make your body produce more milk and it is very important that you wake up an do it at night because your body produces more milk while your sleeping, drink LOTS of water and milk and try pumping after a hot shower you'll get more milk as it flows faster after a hot shower.

Good luck with breastfeeding if i can do it so can you!

Answer 6

Its a bit hard and I totally understand what ur going through. Look, ur milk supply is going to decrease and decrease as long as she is not suckling. A baby can suckle alot more than u can pump and your body will only produce as much milk that has been taken. Just a bit of a tip, make sure u get a let down on each side every time u pump.