Breastfeeding a Preemie

From the sounds of friends who have even full term babies it is a common problem to not get enough when pumping. Fenugreek did wonders for me, I've heard though it works best when you fully empty your breasts every 2-3 hours so make sure you're pumping that often. To increase your supply make sure you're dry pumping for awhile, so after you stop producing milk continue pumping for about five minutes. That will tell your body to produce more. Drink plenty of fluids, and also oatmeal will help! None of those are a sure guarantee to help, but hopefully you'll find the right mixture!

Here's a good resource for you to read through as well! This website was recommended to me by my lactation consultant after I had my son. I'm linking you directly to the page about pumping and low supply while doing that, but there's so much more on the site as well!

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/pumping_decrease.html

Hope something I've suggested helps!
Stacy

Stacy pretty much supplied all the advice I can think of.

Pumping is never as efficient at emptying your breasts as a baby is. So you can't necessarily expect to get as much milk during a pumping session.

One question I have - what kind of pump are you using? Manual hand pumps are least effective, and hospital grade electric pumps are the most effective. The electric pumps you can buy at Babies R Us and other baby stores are somewhere in the middle. Hospital grade pumps are expensive to buy but if you are planning on doing this for a long time, you might want to consider renting or buying one.

Good luck!
Jackie

Stacy is right, pumping isn't nearly as effective as actual breastfeeding. I never got enough when I pumped. I couldn't take fenugreek because I have a peanut allergy but my Dr. gave me a prescription for Reglan that worked great for me. You should talk to a lactation consultant and see what she would recommend. Also, make sure you are drinking TONS of water.
Laura

Thank you for all of the suggestions. I am taking a pill now that has fenugreek in it but I don't think it has enough so I will have to get pure fenugreek. Jackie as for my pump I am using a pump in style advanced pump. I have tossed around the idea of re-renting the hospital pump to see if that would make a difference. I have tried stepping up my water intake but I will continue to try drinking more and eat oatmeal once a day. It helps to know that it's a common problem and not just me because it stresses me to the max when I am at work. While at home I feed her and don't worry about it.

My doctor prescribed me Reglan as well. It worked to an extent.

Good luck!

Love and Light,
Liz

Hello! My baby was born at 24 weeks and he is 30 weeks now. I am pumping but my milk supply is just about non-existant. I was getting alot in the beginning for the first few weeks. I was getting 30-50cc's every pumping session. It went down to 12cc's literally overnight. Now I'm getting just a few drops. My son is getting donor milk now. I pump every 2-3 hours, I drink mother's milk tea, I am taking more milk plus supplements, plus everything else there is to do. I just started drinking 1 Guinness beer per night 2 nights ago. I heard the yeast in dark beers helps with milk supply. I've talked to different lactation specialists and they all say I'm doing everything I can do. The only thing/person that I don't have is my baby. He is still too young to nurse. Has anyone had this problem or going through it? Will my supply come back if & when he starts to nurse? I don't want to give up yet.

Monica

Sometimes stress can be very hard on the milk supply so as hard as it is try to think of some way to relax and stop being too hard on yourself, you are obviously doing everything you can for your baby. To be honest, my supply was never great the best pumping supply I had was when I was reading a book, while others do better looking at their baby (for me that was just too hard to handle the close but can't touch part when pumping) so I hope you can find something that is relaxing, a scent, a song, etc.

Good luck and you are doing great.
Ellen

Thanks Ellen!

Monica, remember that being in the NICU is super stressful and stress affects milk supply. I hardly produced any milk when I tried to breastfeed my first son. He was supplemented with formula the whole time. I hear eating oatmeal might help with milk supply. Aside from that I have no new ideas for ya. Drink lots and lots of water but even that doesn't get rid of the stress. Cut yourself a break, it's tough to be in the NICU and try to pump as frequently as your "supposed" to. Good luck!
Laura

I also have the same problem my little macie is only gettn a little over a half oz ev 3hrs and I pump like crazy and barely get an oz ev time...I take fenugreek with my first child who is a yr old and it did work ~ just take w lot of water ....also with her I started taking mothers milk plus pills....and have noticed changes...they have fenugreek with other herbs in there...also try to use soft lighting and just relax when pumping...it helps alot!

Thanks Laura. I am still getting a few drops at each pumping. I'm hoping my supply will come back when he is able to nurse.

Thank you Leann. I am taking more milk plus and drinking mother's milk tea. I will keep on trying.