Exclusive Pumping - Help!

[carinmama]

My 9 week old son has been silently aspirating into the lungs. I have learned that I need to thicken his food for him to be safe. I have checked with tons of doctors as well as two lactation specialists to make sure that this is my only option, so I'm currently exclusively pumping, thickening it with a gel and feeding him with a bottle. This has been an insanely emotional experience since my son did not want the bottle and appears to love being at the breast. I have been told that after a pumping session where milk is no longer coming out that I can take him to the breast for a minute or two, but that is all. I'm currently very overwhelmed. My only comfort is that after doing this for just 4 days I have noticed a dramatic change in his health and his oxygen levels are now at 100% - Yeah! However I need help learning the best way to do this till we can return to feeding from the breast. (I'm told he'll probably grow out of it.) Some of my current concerns are:
1. How long & often can/should I pump (I am renting a Madela Symphony)
2. What can I do to increase my milk supply & make my sessions yield as much as possible
3. What are the correct guidelines for fresh milk to be at room temp. (our house is kept fairly cool) - My son is refusing cold milk and instead of warming it I was wanting to get it out of the fridge when I thought we were getting close to a feeding.
4. Any other ideas on how to keep my sanity?

[pbjmama]

Sorry to hear you are having so much trouble, I am glad you are being so proactive!

1. How long & often can/should I pump (I am renting a Madela Symphony)
Minimum 8 times a day, 12 would be better. After awhile you can cut back but since your baby is so new and supply is a concern frequent pumping is important. A general guideline is to pump for a couple minutes after milk stops flowing, no more than 15 minutes a session as longer can be hard on breast tissue. At this age at least one pumping session in the night is important. In other words no more than 5 hours in a row with out pumping.
2. What can I do to increase my milk supply & make my sessions yield as much as possible? Get properly fitted for breast shields. This will maximize your output and protect your breasts from soreness and damage. If you are making enough for him right now you shouldn't need to increase supply - just make sure you are eating enough and drinking enough. Rest when you can I know you are doing double the work with pumping and all but don't forget to take care of your body!
3. What are the correct guidelines for fresh milk to be at room temp. (our house is kept fairly cool) - My son is refusing cold milk and instead of warming it I was wanting to get it out of the fridge when I thought we were getting close to a feeding.
This is a great resource, I suggest reading "bottle feeding the breastfed baby and breastmilk storage and guidelines. http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/index.html
4. Any other ideas on how to keep my sanity? Ask for help, give yourself permission to not be perfect. I think you can do a simple wipe of pump supplies most times instead of doing the scrub down every time.

Have you considered an OT for your ds? I don't know your situation but if some of the problems are oral motor it could really help.

[sahmmie]

HI there. I had to pump and feed all three of my babies for a variety of reasons and I can tell you it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Just know that it's going to be difficult and give yourself permission to feel bad about it. Get as much help as you can with the baby and try to rest when you can and get plenty of water and good nutrious food.

I agree with the above poster about frequent pumping. I had to pump 12 times per day in order to keep my supply up initially. After a while I was able to drop down to 10 times per day and definitely, always, pump at least once in the middle of the night. My highest yield was alway in the early morning, so I'd pump at midnight and then sleep till 5 am (if baby slept!). "Cluster Pumping" also works wonders at increasing supply, espcially if you do it in the early morning hours. This means you pump (say at 5 am) and then pump again right away at 6 am, then 7:30 or 8 am, then maybe take a three hour break. This works so well because it tells the body that the baby is not getting enough milk and the body will increase supply. And yes, pumping for a few minutes after the milk stops flowing also works wonders becasue it too tells the body that the baby is not getting enough. Sometimes if you pump a few minutes after the flow stops you will get a surprising flow of reserve milk that you wouldn't have tapped into if you had stopped earlier.

Good luck and hang in there. What you're doing is not easy and you are a wonderul mom for working so hard to take such good care of your baby. Mothers are amazing!!!!