Establishing a supply when pumping?

[Stayseeliz]

I had my little girl 3 1/2 days ago by c-section. She was almost 37w but is still in the special care nursery since her breathing isn't quite up to par. I haven't been able to nurse her yet but I've been pumping since a few hours after she was born. I am pumping like mad but she started eating yesterday and I can't seem to keep up with her demand for milk. How can I up my production?? Thanks!

[JulieInChicago]

congratulations mama!  Is there a nurse or lactation consultant at your hospital who can help you hands-on?  If you have the help, might as well use it!    So, question one is, are you using the right kind of pump?  If you're exclusively pumping for now you'll want a double-electric or a hospital grade pump.  Question two is, are you pumping often enough?  Every 2-3 hours is ok to start with to get your supply up.  Question three is, are you eating right and treating yourself well?  Milk is made up of fat, protein, and water.  You need to make sure you drink a ton of water and eat plenty of protein.  Also, stress can hurt your supply.  Relax when you pump, try to hold your baby or think about her.

GOOD LUCK and Congrats! Don't sweat it if it takes a few days to bring in supply. Your baby will do fine.  

[caleblove]

Agree w/Julie wholeheartedly, esp that finding an LC there would be really helpful. Both having a baby early and having a cesarean are linked to a longer colostral stage. That just means that nature knew that your little baby has a little belly and didn't need to pump your breasts full of milk that she couldn't yet handle. Usually by day 5 you'll see a big increase in supply as long as you are doing all that Julie has said: double elec pump, every 2-3 hours, hands-on pumping, take care of yourself (ie eat and drink). This is normal and you are doing a wonderful thing; exactly what your baby needs. What a great mom you already are!

[Stayseeliz]

Thanks for the advice! I think my milk is almost completely in now. I still wish I could pump more each time but I did speak to the LC yesterday and she said what I'm making is normal-my baby is just eating MORE than normal. Which is great since I want to get here home. I had DH pick up some instant oatmeal we can make in the room, lots of snacks and water/gatorade and I do have a hospital grade pump I'm using. I'm really hoping we can switch over to breastfeeding in the next few days. She's got a strong suck reflex so I'm hoping that won't be an issue!!

[Heba]

Congratulations on the birth of your daughter!

This video has some great suggestions for maximising breastmilk output while pumping - essentially, breast massage before pumping, then breast compressions while pumping.

http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html

Good luck, and please let us know how you get on!

xx