Breastfeeding/breastpumping 8 Day Old Daughter

I literally JUST watched this video - it's amazing! Long, but totally worth watching: http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction....

Good luck!!!

Edit... humm, I can't get the link to work. I'll try spelling it out... just take out the spaces:

http:// newborns.stanford.edu/ breastfeeding / maxproduction.html

You need to talk to an LC. Babies who had issues in the NICU may need extra help. You may need something like an SNS system. My sister's baby boy was in the NICU for 3 weeks and is able to take some of his feeds by nursing, so if that is your goal, seek help and don't give up yet.

Kellymom.com also has good info on nursing, tips to return a baby to the breast, and pumping.

Remember, too, that she is so very small. If she does develop an efficient suck, 5 minutes at this age may be all she needs (even if it's 5 minutes every hour....my DD was like that).

And everybody has a learning curve with nursing. Each baby is different and it's a process for both you and baby. Most people even without NICU time need several weeks to get the hang of it. Try for at least 6 weeks. It usually gets better every week and then one day you realize you don't even think about it when you pick up your baby to feed her.

I don't have any info for you, but I would ask the hospital for a referral to a lactation consultant that is familiar with NICU babies. LC's can make a HUGE difference in helping you get the most out of your breastfeeding experience. Good luck!

You've definitely gotten some good advice here, but I also wanted to reiterate that the quantities you're pumping for an 8-day old are huge! Your baby may only be taking 2-3 oz TOTAL per feeding at this point, if not less. By about 2 months, your baby'll be up to about 3-4 oz per feeding and then by 6 months, up to about 6 oz, if that. My milk with both of my kids didn't come in until around day 5 (which is right on for "normal") and I was feeding them every 1.5-2 hours. So, if you're able to go 2-3 hours, good for you!

As for waking the baby during feedings, it's not only hard work to have a baby, but it's hard work being born, too! For the first couple weeks, you're going to have one incredibly sleepy baby and then for months afterwards, your baby will only be awake for maybe an hour at a time (and that includes eating!). My firstborn would always drop into a deep sleep during nursing time--hey, it's relaxing! :) At the recommendation of a lactation consultant, we would strip him down to his diaper, sometimes wipe a lightly wet, cold washcloth on his head and neck and then if all else failed, she told us to stick our finger into the bottom of his foot. I typically got anywhere from 5-15 of nursing from him and then he'd be out cold for another 1.5-2 hours! I'd pump whichever side he didn't feed on just to keep up my milk supply for whenever he would be better about staying awake and hungry enough to be able to nurse on both sides. It's all totally normal. My second child almost never nursed on both sides until she was probably 6 months old. I wasn't going to push it because it just wasn't worth the fight. She gained weight just fine, which means she was getting what she needed--even though I could barely pump more than a couple ounces when I did need to pump.

As long as the baby is still gaining weight, you're fine no matter what you are or are not pumping or however long the baby is eating. Another thing to remember is that a pump is NOT as efficient as a baby.

And last, but certainly not least, a nipple guard is not the end of the world to use. I never did (but probably should have), but my sister did for probably the first 1-2 months before being able to wean her daughter to nurse without the guard. My sister was just too big for her daughter's mouth and the guard helped her continue to nurse until the baby's mouth grew and developed a bit.

In the end, if you want reassurance from a professional, contact your hospital's maternity ward to get a lactation consultant. They will definitely help to explain your concerns and give you comfort that you're all doing just fine.

And congrats on the new baby!!

2 ounces for barely a week old baby is more than enough!! Don't make light of the amount you are pumping.

My son was in the NICU for 10 days, only finally latched on day 8 with the help of their lactation team and a very dedicated Nurse. The lactation team kept me motivated to pump eventho it seemed I wasn't pumping much and the Nurse encouraged me to try breastfeeding "just one more time" when I had reached the point of feeling I failed - it worked!! My newborn was being force fed thru a feeding tube up until this point.

Pump 10-15 minutes ONLY per breast, preferably every 2 hours, 3 at most. Overnight, you can let it go 4-5 hours so you can sleep.

Always offer the breast first, try different holding positions, try swaddling, try holding her against your breasts for 20-30 minutes before a feeding so she gets her relaxation and comfort from you first. Don't give up... she WILL nurse. If after 30 minutes of trying and she hasn't latched on, only then offer a bottle, and offer .5-1 oz only so she gets some fullness then put her back on the breast.

My son became a nursing champion by the day 10 of NICU and they finally allowed him to come home. He's not stopped nursing since... when he's awake it feels like he nurses every 45 minutes to 1 hour, he loves to fall asleep on the breast and will use me as a pacifier (as he should be, newborns will do this for awhile).

Baby wearing also encourages newborns and weaker babies to nurse when they need too... look into Moby wraps, slings, etc.

2 ounces will fill her tiny tummy. I pumped and learned by accident one day that if I pumped until I was "dry", then pumped a few more minutes after that, I'd have a second letdown and get another 2-3 ounces. (This was when my son was several months old, though - it might not happen for you right away).

My son also fell asleep on my breast as a newborn and hadn't regained his birth weight at almost two weeks. Our pediatrician told me to strip him down to his diaper before nursing - being a little chilly would help keep him awake long enough to get a bigger meal, and being in my arms and against my body would prevent him from becoming TOO cold. Also to stroke his arm and leg with a damp washcloth while he was nursing - again, to keep him alert a little longer. It worked for us!

I called LLL one day after being so sick from food poisoning that I was afraid my milk was drying up - I couldn't get three ounces and was used to pumping 10-12 - and the leader to me to eat oatmeal. For whatever reason, oatmeal seems to boost milk production.

Lastly - my kiddo started biting to draw blood at 8 months and I finally quit nursing and pumped exclusively until he was a year. Worst case scenerio, you could do this too. BUT - I think with some help from a lactation consultant, you can get her to successfully latch and being a full-time nurser.

I'm glad she's home! Congratulations!

2-3 ounces is all you should be able to pump with her being only 8 days old! To put it in perspective...at this age, their stomachs are about the size of their fists. Small! :) That's plenty to be able to pump every couple of hours.

Now, I want to encourage you...if you want to nurse successfully...to give up on the bottle and nurse her exclusively, with the shield if you have to. I had to use the sheild until my child was about four months old, when all of a sudden she was able to latch on (it was a combination of her having a slight tongue tie and my nipples not "sticking out" enough, although I never thought they were abnormal. Using the shield will break any adhesions under your skin, allowing your nipples to be fully extracted, and will help her learn to latch.) Now, I don't recommend shields for nonchalant use...like, "Oh, my nipples hurt..." but if you seriously want to nurse and that's the only way, go for it. She's not nursing because the bottle is MUCH easier for her...but if you quit giving it to her, she will nurse.

I had so many problems during the first seven months of nursing and I just want to let you know that know, at 16 months, my baby is an expert nurser and those problems are long part. :) Stick with it!

Oh, and I don't think you need to increase your supply. If you exclusively nurse her, your body should make all the milk she needs...and as she goes through growth spurts she will nurse almost around the clock, to increase your supply...because that will tell your body, "I need to start making more milk."

And please ignore the "drink drink drink" advice. You need to get ENOUGH to drink...which is a minimum of 64 oz a day...but too much will DECREASE your supply. Ask any lactation specialist. And to put that into perspective...two 32. oz bottles of gatorade (filled with water...that's what I use...I just refill, refill, refill with water) is your entire daily need. That's less than most people think it is. 8 glasses of water should be stated "8 cups of water" as in...64 oz. You shouldn't go over 96, regardless.

As a mom of two NICU babies - one of which flat lined in my arms - I get your pain...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

First thing - I know it's easier said than done - but do not stress...stress reduces your milk supply.

Second thing? Consult a lactation consultant - either through the NICU or your pediatrician.

Pump every 3 hours - with the exception of night - you NEED your rest!!! You are ROCKING IT GIRL!!!! :) I stopped pumping when my milk stopped coming out - and got that fatty hind milk out.

I never used a nipple shield...so I can't advise on that...I personally wouldn't use it.

I would ALWAYS offer the breast FIRST...make sure you are comfortable - relaxed and in a place where you can just "be"...our nursery was set up with "peace" in mind - I LOVED my rocking chair (glider) and I LOVED my boppy pillow - I actually went through 4 to find the one that worked for me. I know - I know - but they aren't all the same!!

Sucks is hard work for a baby - tires 'em out...so let her sleep..

I pumped and stored my milk...my hubby did the 2AM feeding so I could get at least 4 to 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep...did I exclusively pump and offer a bottle? No. I pumped after nursing each time - some people laughed at me - but after 3 months - I had an awesome supply and was wet nursing two of my girl friends kids...

YOU CAN DO IT!! Never give up! Never surrender!! :)

Remove nipple shields (can be not easy for you , but much, much more better for little one, she will fill you better)
1. Give breast for her every time she cry (maybe even )
2. drink, drink and more drink (hot tea + milk works the best)
If your baby healthy now (doctors allow you to go home) she can sleep more than 2 hours (my baby had like 4 hours nap and that eat really good)
Ask midwifes , they are more for breastfeeding then doctors (just maybe in my case)
Call ###-###-#### (it`s Austin Area birthing center and ask them, there is very very good pro midwifes)
wish you luck!

Keep trying and trying,

But just wanted to let you know that a close friend of mine ended up pumping/bottling for 4 months because of weak latching issues before finally able to nurse her first babe without troubles. It will happen eventually. The SNS system can help if you're wanting to get away from bottles.

Keep up the good work mom! I had the exact same problem and eventually pumped and bottle fed the baby. I would just pump after everytime the baby would eat. The pediatrician said that as long as you're pumping every 3-4 hours you should be able to keep up w/ the baby's supply. She was right. Eventually I started out pumping what he drank and built up a nice supply in the freezer. Just have patience. Your baby has a tiny tummy right now and she'll only need a few ounces at a time and oddly enough your body knows it so it only produceds a few ounces at a time. Hang in there!!

are you sure she is latching on properly? this is one of the greatest problems and can be quite serious if you think she is getting milk and she is not. I am studying to be a doula and am reading a book by dr. jack newman that mentions that some babies aren't getting milk and fall alseep because they are not getting enough. keep trying. breastfeeding is so important! you should see this pattern, open mouth wide, sucking, deep pause, more sucking - that shows she is really getting and swallowing milk. it is much easier for babies to get milk from a bottle than the breast, so you have to make her work a little harder :) I hope I haven't given you info that you already know! do you have a lactation consultant that you can work with? do you have a double electric pump? medela was my favorite kind. nurse frequently and pump frequently, that is the best way to increase your supply. good luck!!

I remember when I was trying to increase my supply, I had to pump every hour and 1-2 times over night. I was also taking fenugreek. My son was also having having problems where he would fall asleep as soon as he would latch on. My routine with him was, try to breastfeed him first, then pump for about 15 minutes on each side. I had to do that every single hour. After 2 weeks he still had not gotten back up to his birth weight. He actually never gained anything since his first drop in ounces after he was born. He was 6 pounds 6 ounces at birth and dropped to 5 pounds 12 ounces when we left the hospital and stayed at that for 2 weeks. I was also working with a lactation consultant. Maybe you can call one in your area and see if they can help you? For me, even after doing all of that, I was completly dry by 5 weeks and his dr. said I had to give him formula (we were just supplementing before) full time. I was sad, but I had to do it to feed my baby. Don't give up. Call a lactation consultant over and I would probibly pump more than every 2-3 hours if you want to build up your supply. Good luck!

You have gotten a lot of good advice on breastfeeding. But as to has anyone just pumped the and bottle fed. Yes I did. For me pumping was a better choice. I pumped for 2 of my 3. I know for my first, he was in the NICU also and was on a vent for his first day. The lactation consultant reminded me that his first experience was a tube down his throat, so a bottle was easier for him. For my third I chose to pump exclusively and it worked out well. I personally did not enjoy breastfeeding and since "the girls" were larger than my child's head, I was actually able to bond better with the bottle. Breast milk has the same nutrients from the bottle as the breast. So do what is best for you. If you want to breastfeed go for it but don't beat yourself up if it isn't working.

I agree with all so far. I'll add that you do not need to focus on increasing your supply. You have how much you are supposed to have at this point. The way to increase is to just keep doing it. It will grow as your baby's needs grow. Your milk was not slow to come in if it came in at all. You are supposed to start with teeny-tiny amounts. I am telling you this so you can relax (very important) and just get comfortable. I am so, so glad that your baby is doing well (whew!).

When I was nervous about nursing after my C-section, I had to just stop the nervousness and fear and "man" up with confidence that I could take care of my baby. Omg, it can make you feel so insecure. My lactation consultant was my cheerleader, even after I went back to work and was pumping.

You are on the right track...just don't give up. There is no need for you to feel anxious about it. You are perfectly on track.

Funny: My nipples used to huirt so much. I mean HURT...just raw. I used the lanolin and just knew that it was for my baby. Before I knew it, I was using no lanolin and I felt no pain. Heck, my baby walks on my nipples and pinches them between his fingers, now. It doesn't feel good, but it's funny. I guess.

Congratulations on your new baby and YEA for kicking NICU!

I would nurse my newborns in just their diaper. I would keep a cold wet washcloth with me and rub it on their back a little to wake them up. I had to keep waking them numerous times per feeding. Eventually she will nurse without falling asleep.