Pumping question-advice please

[jonmom]

My DS was born on June 19th. He had IUGR and I was only 34 weeks so he's in the NICU. I've been pumping since the day after he was born every 3-4 hrs and I can only get between 1/2 to 1 oz in each session if I'm lucky to get that much. I'm drinking plenty of water but I don't know what else to do. He's on Neosure formula also cause I can't pump enough for him to eat :( How can I increase my production??

[workinm0mmy]

Try pumping every 2 hours while you are awake. And the 3-4 at night. Pump until nothing else comes out plus 3 mins or 25 mins whichever comes first. Pump sitting with your baby if possible. Look at pictures of your baby. Play soft soothing music. Ask a lactation consultant if they think your flange (I think that's what it's called) or breast shield is the proper size. Make sure if the pump has membrane you are changing it, not sure how often but maybe every week if you are exclusively pumping. Don't worry he has a small belly.

[mommyofnoah208]

I agree. My son was a 32 weeker ( now 4) and pumping every 2 hours would help and if you can be with your baby or at least try and relax and think about your baby. Also try kangaroo care with your baby (holding your baby on your chest skin to skin) good luck and hope your supply increases.

[NeverABreak]

BUMP!

[mama02040608]

You definitely have to increase your pumping. Every 2 hours daylight, every 3 nighttime. I would even say at this point, don't even give yourself that 3-4 hours at night. You are working to build supply that baby would have been bringing in by nursing. IF the baby is getting bottles, baby can nurse. Even just doing skin to skin with your baby can help your supply.

[aehanrahan]

I agree with this. You NEED to be pumping more often to bring in your supply.

Quoting mama02040608:

You definitely have to increase your pumping. Every 2 hours daylight, every 3 nighttime. I would even say at this point, don't even give yourself that 3-4 hours at night. You are working to build supply that baby would have been bringing in by nursing. IF the baby is getting bottles, baby can nurse. Even just doing skin to skin with your baby can help your supply.

[PrinceMomma486]

I agree with the pumping more frequently, are intaking enough calories as well?

Also, I recommend some red raspberry leaf tea...its good for your reproductive system as well but its also very good for increasing milk supply.

[piwife]

Like others have said pump every 2 hrs on the dot. That includes night time. Also keep pumping for 5 mts after you see the last drop. Oatmeal in the am the real kind

[babymine]

Is he drinking from a bottle in the NICU? Are you able to nurse him? If not, skin to skin is great, just pump in the NICU with him on you. I did that with my son and pumped enough for the whole NICU. Lol

[kcrogue]

Lots of good advice my number one tip for pumping mama's other than water is RELAX. Not enough do, you need to be comfortable unstressed which I imagine is not all that easy all the time. When I pumped I would usually lean back in a comfy seat. Warm, close my eyes and match my breathing to the pumping noise.(made it less annoying to me).Kinda like meditating.I got way more doing this compared to when people would stop and talk to me... yeah I got to pump in the lobby of the restroom at my work super fun.lol

Keep going and hang in there you can do it!

[AnotherPutra]

I heard taking Milk-Thissle caplets work..but I have not tried it before. Almonds are supposed to be really good to east also. It's not all about drinking plenty of water, you need a good amount of calories too.  Does your pump just suck or does it massage? Try massaging your areola before pumping, that can encourage your breast milk to flow... the movement of babie's lips and tongue are what stimulate more milk, that's why pumping doesn't really help increase milk flow.