problems with producing milk

[bhenneker]

So my son was born yesterday and is in NICU (born at 33 wks) he has a feeding tube but is going to breast but really isn't able to suck anything out. The NICU doctor has agreed not to give him formula but now I am having a problem.. the first pump I got 11ml the second 10ml and since then i've pumped every 2-3hour and i can not get even a drop out. I am getting really stress and upset about it b/c i do't want him to have formula and i want to breastfeed I didn't have this problem with my daughter and I just don't know what to do. I called the NICU and informed them that i can;t get anything out and they said don't worry that since he is on IVs that anythig i can give is an added bonus and that they will wait a few days before they even think about formula. What can i do to help get it going??

[Keepthefaith30]

So.u had ur baby huh. How is he doing and how r u. I remember reading a post from u a while back. I think ur milk will come in couple days. I wil keep you guys in prayer.

[trying43]

Pump every three hours round the clock whether you get anything or not.  Also place warm moist towels on the breasts to stimulate the milk to come down.  Congrats and good luck.

[VaniDavila]

First of all, congrants on the birth of your baby!!!

Don't worry, you will get milk for your baby. I had my daughter at 38 weeks and my milk didn't come in until 5 days later. When it did come in, I was pumping very little and had to supplment with formula. After she was a month she latched on and about 10 minutes before she got hungry, I would feel my breast hurt so bad and that was a sign that she was going to start crying. Don't give up.... You will get milk. Oh, when I got sick my milk supply decreased a lot and I couldn't get anything so I called my ob and he gave me some pills and those helped a lot. I got my supply back up quickly.

[bhenneker]

So it seems I don't have that big of a problem it looks like anyone with premiees had the same prblem. I pumped at noon today and got 9ml. Hopefully at 3pm I can get more. Right now with what the hospital has and what I have he has enough til 6pm feeding so I am really hoping to get more for that feeding..

[waitn838]

last year when i had my daughter 8 weeks premature it took longer for my milk supply to come in....the lactation nurse told me this is normal and to keep pumping even if im not getting anything....2 days after she was born i noticed an increase and within the first week i was pumping more than enough for her

dont give up....and feel discouraged....just keep pumping

[bhenneker]

So last night I ended up calling the NICU b/c I couldn't get anything once again and I was getting so upset to where I was crying b/c i felt like I wasn't providing for my son. The nurse there was just great and made me feel alittle better she told me to pump at 12am and then sleep for at least 6hours and try again. At 12am I got 12ml but then at 6am nothing again. Pumped again at 9am and got maybe 4ml. When I went to the hospital to see him and drop off the milk the doctor was doing his rounds and was told that Liam was very hungry but not to worry he would be fine until day 4 then they would start talkng about suppleminting formula but I askd if we could start now just so that I could take that stress off me and just maybe would be able to produce more, but he also informed me that what I am producing is normal and try not to stress. but i find it very hard not to stress. So I am hoping by today I will be able to get more coming. I will never give up on breast feeding I know any little drop of brest milk he is getting is the best thing for him.

[PetiteWonder]

i had this issue to start.. My milk didnt come in until day 4... and I was producing very little.... i was freaking out.. the hospital medela pump was doing nothing for me, I was like to pump a couple drops...  We ended up given her about 20 ml of formula the day we left the hospital as she wasnt really peeing or pooping.. We went out and brought a manual medela, which worked much better for me than the electric one in the hospital....  That night, we had to give her formula again.... about 20 ml... We always did it where she would go on the breast to start then followed by the formula..  I was able to stop the formula and give her my pumped milk after the feeding from the breast to supplement..

By day 4, my milk came in and we have been golden since... i didnt want to give her the formula at all but i could tell she was straving.. but it ended up working out in the end because i wouldnt give up on the breast even though it was a hard first couple days...

[thebrat333]

hearing your baby cry usually makes your milk come out it has to be a hungry cry lol not sure if your baby is up to the job but if he/she is then tape it on your phone or something and play it when you are trying to express

[NicoleW09]

Don't feel bad at all. It takes three to five days for your milk to come in. I'd save the colostrum an see if they'll give it to him. I tried mothers milk tea and fenugreek to boost my supply when I was relactating. Speak with a lactation consultant in your area an see what they can suggest.

[Tilly0818]

You can try making "maizena" which u can get at like safeway in the hispanic isle it helps bring in ur milk I tryed it with my first baby and it worked my milk came in real fast and alotttt... Also there's pills called "fenugreek" that also help... Just a few suggestions...  Goodluck:)

[bhenneker]

we are renting the hospital pumps which i heard are the best and worked wnders with my daughter.. thank-you ladies or much your words have made me feel alittle better...

[stacey10]

Its normal not to get much out, especially as your milk wont have come in yet thats usually around day 3, what your getting is colostrum and thats very important to your new byb especially as he is premmie, they dont need much the first couple of days, continue to pum and put him on your breast and between the both he should get enough, putting him on your breast as often as you can will also stimulate your boobs as well, your doing everything right and your milk will come in soon :)

[Ashelen]

sorry i should've said "some women have difficulty letting down for a pump" as it's more accurate.

[Ashelen]

it's completely normal right now...some women just have difficulty pumping as well..do they have any rental pumps you can try out?

also..try hand expressing it. get into a warm shower, or put a warm cloth against your breast, and try to squeeze some out with your hand (you can look up how to do this online)...relax and think of your baby and see if you can get out any that way.

your body didn't get to complete the "full term hormone cycle" so it may just take a bit more effort and time to get it to come in, so try not to stress! but I found the pumps to be a big problem with me..I could get milk expressing, but not pumping.

[montanagirl7676]

When I pumped with my first child, it always helped to picture them, imagine how they smell, and the sounds they make when hungry. It must be so hard to not be able to hold your new little one. It's hard, but try to relax and focus on your baby. Hope it helps and good luck!