I am scared about this change!

[LeytonsMom10]

We are too a point where we are having switching to formula although I am still pumping 8 times a day, power pumping at night, taking herbal supplements, using hospital grade pumps (yes 2 different pumps, medela symphony and classic) and meeting with LC once a week to work on breast feeding. I have literally tried everything that they can think of and my milk is just getting lower and lower each week. Its to the point now where I am getting 3-5ml each pumping session with pumping for 20 min and hand expressing after. At that point I have NOTHING coming out. I have been told that any bm is better than none so I keep going but reality is I am not supplying nearly enough for my son. We are week 6 and was told last week that by the time 8 weeks comes around if im not seeing an increase just expect it to never increase.

I feel guilty to make this decision and stop pumping when I know how much he needs it but then question if the 3-5ml is even doing anything for him. Just like everything else he is going through I hate to see him constipated (which he is getting to be now because of all the formula and protein.) He is on 7/8 feeds of just formula now because I can't give them enough bm. I hate knowing that I SHOULD be able to provide this for my child and it takes me ALL day to get enough milk for one feeding. I dont want to give up when we haven't even had a fair shot at BF but then again we never had a fair shot in any of this situation.

Have other moms had this same problem and what did you do to let yourself know its ok not to bf?

[Mrs.Music]

Some mothers' bodies don't respond to the pump the way they would to a baby. You're trying. Have you tried all the possible solutions to up your supply? Lactation cookies, mother's milk tea, reglan, pumping 12 times a day, pumping near your baby or with a blanket that smells like him and a picture? If you've done everything, it might be time to let go. Or you can keep trying and hope your supply picks up as soon as you can get him to the breast. I've never been through this, so I don't have any inspiring stories or advice. I hope things work out for you.

[justKate]

I don't think I'm going to address exactly the question you asked, but I was wondering, if you're thinking about stopping pumping, would you consider changing your pumping schedule first to see if that might help? How long are you going between sessions? I'm sure you've already tried everything, but I just wanted to make sure. Have you tried an every 3 hours during the day/every 4 hours at night schedule?

I'm so sorry that you're going through this. I know it hurts so badly in so many ways.

If you decide to stop, don't feel guilty. You've done a great job and already given your LO a great start. Keep us posted.

[LeytonsMom10]

I am now pumping every 2 1/2 to 3 hours and sleeping 7 hours at night. I was pumping every 2 hours with 5 hours sleep at night. By the time 11 pm comes around I'm so tired I can't even think. I just started taking domperidone and I am hoping it will increase my supply. At this point I am willing to try anything! Any advice is welcome!

[Katie T]

A friend of mine had really good luck with the Dom and I hope you do as well!.

Give yourself a big hug and pat on the back! You have given your lo a wonderful gift and should be proud of yourself! If you can't keep it up don't get down on yourself he will do great thanks to all of your hard work!

[Knittin' in the Shade]

as much as I hate to tell you to lose sleep, the first thing I'd try is going to an every 2 hours pumping during the day and then every 3 at night. So, say a schedule like:
6am
8am
10am
12pm
2pm
4pm
6pm
8pm
10pm
1am
4am
which gives you 11 sessions a day, which is a much better mimick of the likely schedule yoru babe would have if you were nursing, versus the 7-8 sessions you're likely getting with the current schedule. I know how difficult it is (really, there is nothing more wretched then setting an alarm to wake you up in the middle of the night so that you can pump for your baby in the NICU. it sucks something awful) The other suggestion I'd give is if you're able to do kangaroo care, then try to pump while you are skin to skin. It takes some coordination to manage, but that's when I got the most from pumping sessions, by far!

[LeytonsMom10]

I will try that schedule starting tomorrow. I have taken the Dom starting yesterday and I have already noticed that my breast are fuller but the amount of milk is still the same. I have asked to do kangaroo care and pump but they said (NICU nurses I have asked) no because its a too hard to hold him and pump... so now I hold him then pump right after.

I have also started hand expressing more than pumping because I tend to get more milk, faster when I do that and honeslty it hurts less. I would like to see what yalls thoughts are on that.

Thanks for all the advice. Can;t wait to try it!

[Katie T]

I am no expert but I think however you can (comfortably) get milk out is the way to go! You are stimulating your breasts and removing milk which are what tells them to make more milk.

Way to go!

Also make sure you take care of your self! Sleep (as much as you can) eat healthy, oatmeal helps production as well and there are some super yummy cookie recipes out there! Drink a ton. You can do it! You ARE doing it!

[ariatrance]

Just wanted to note that it doesn't have to be an either/or situation. You can pump and supplement for as long as you are comfortable doing so. Maybe try the new schedule, especially since you just started Dom and see how that goes. Once you get the baby to the breast, you can reassess. Also - can you use a hands-free bra to pump while holding the baby? Would that make it easier and more accomodating for the NICU nurses?

[Mrs.Music]

Originally Posted by LeytonsMom10

I will try that schedule starting tomorrow. I have taken the Dom starting yesterday and I have already noticed that my breast are fuller but the amount of milk is still the same.

You probably have more milk, but because you've not had a lot of success with pumping, it'll take a few days for your breasts to adjust and give more. Pumping more often should really help with that.

Originally Posted by ariatrance

Also - can you use a hands-free bra to pump while holding the baby? Would that make it easier and more accomodating for the NICU nurses?

That sounds like a good idea

[chiefmir]

I don't have a preemie, but have been in the situation of having to decide how long to keep working at BF and pumping. I had a breast reduction in 1991 (I later found out, the technique was improved in 1992 in a way that made breast feeding more likely later) and knew that I would have to take a "try and see" approach when I had kids. BF was VERY important to me... when DD1 was born (she's 5 now) via c-section, I ended up with a 9lb 9oz new born with VERY low blood sugar (under 10) who had to be fed right away and then throughout her nicu stay to increase blood sugar. From the start she was able to drink 3oz of formula (from birth) and was up to 4 oz every 3 hours by 1 wk of age. LIke you, I pumped like crazy-- by two weeks I was pumping for 5+ hours a day/night, taking Reglan, etc. Between the 5+ hours of pumping and the 7-8 feedings around the clock, I was a miserable post-partum, post-surgery mess who could not enjoy my baby (even with a LOT of DH and family help). Since my milk had never really come in (our guess is that milk ducts were removed with my reduction) I was making 2.5 ounces TOTAL per day. At that point, we decided that the significant benefits of breastfeeding (for US) did not outweigh the misery and stress I felt at every. single. feeding. and how this effected my ability to enjoy my new DD. for US, using only formula (we, like you, were already doing about 7.5 feedings out of 8 of straight formula) was the best choice. I was (and still am) sad and disappointed that I was not able to BF my DD or my next two children, but I feel confident that we did the best we could, and they are healthy, happy, securely attached (to me and DH equally!) kids.

[smeep]

Originally Posted by LeytonsMom10

I will try that schedule starting tomorrow. I have taken the Dom starting yesterday and I have already noticed that my breast are fuller but the amount of milk is still the same. I have asked to do kangaroo care and pump but they said (NICU nurses I have asked) no because its a too hard to hold him and pump... so now I hold him then pump right after.

I have also started hand expressing more than pumping because I tend to get more milk, faster when I do that and honeslty it hurts less. I would like to see what yalls thoughts are on that.

Thanks for all the advice. Can;t wait to try it!

What if someone holds baby against you while you pump? Or what if you do kangaroo care and pump just one breast at the time? Sheesh, that's ridiculous that they won't even let you try. I say you keep asking.

Yay for the domperidone! I was going to suggest that.

Hand expression is perfectly fine, especially if you have a better response! Absolutely no reason why you can't do that if you would prefer it. I wouldn't necessarily do it for EVERY session, but you certainly can do it part of the time! Or pump on one side and hand express the other. It's really up to you. Some women do respond better with hand expression. Every woman is different.

Is baby not nursing at the breast at all? (Sorry, I don't know your story.) If your baby is not but is capable (and certainly you could at least TRY), definitely get baby on the breast. You can always use a lactation aid so your baby can get supplements at the same time. www.drjacknewman.com has a page and a video on it. And you can do it quite simply, just use a gavage (feeding) tube. The best thing about lactation aids is that they're supplemented while nursing at the breast and it will help stimulate your breasts a MILLION times better than any pump.

[smeep]

And, YES, a little milk is better than none!!!! Always, always, always.

[LeytonsMom10]

Thanks everyone for all the responses.... I have started the Dom and have noticed that my milk supply has trippled!!! I am still hand expressing and getting nearly a full feed in 2 pumping sessions. I am still pumping every 2 hours and taking 5 hour break at night. I have tried breastfeeding and he was doing OKAY but he is taking all of his feeds by bottle and they have taken the ng tube out so him BF then bottling the rest he gets tired and I dont want to push him further than he needs to be right now. We are on the brady countdown and he might be home early next week. Once he is home and stronger then we will attempt bf again.

[Mrs.Music]

Originally Posted by LeytonsMom10 

Thanks everyone for all the responses.... I have started the Dom and have noticed that my milk supply has trippled!!! I am still hand expressing and getting nearly a full feed in 2 pumping sessions. I am still pumping every 2 hours and taking 5 hour break at night. I have tried breastfeeding and he was doing OKAY but he is taking all of his feeds by bottle and they have taken the ng tube out so him BF then bottling the rest he gets tired and I dont want to push him further than he needs to be right now. We are on the brady countdown and he might be home early next week. Once he is home and stronger then we will attempt bf again.

That's great news! Both of my kids were supposed to be taking half their feeds by bottle when they came home, but I found that taking them away made them much better nursers. So once he's stronger and he's gaining steady weight, you may try that. Just a suggestion. I am by no means a doctor.