Is it too late?

[3xpire]

I just had my baby on the fourth of july, and I was actually stupid enough to second guess myself on my decision to breastfeed and decided to formula feed. My little girl's been in the NICU since birth, and will be staying there for at least another week. So it's been technically four days since I've had her, and I think I want to try switching from formula feeding to breastfeeding, but I have no idea if I'm too late or not. My breasts are still full and I've tried expelling some while in the bath and only a little came out, about the same as while I was pregnant, so I'm assuming that I'm still okay. Does anyone know if maybe its too late, or if I can make sure that I'm still producing milk or how I can increase it? Also, until I get a breastpump (they wont let me breastfeed while in the NICU, but I can get pumped milk), is it possible to hand express once the milk really comes in?

Just really hoping I didn't screw this up /:

 

[lewsmom]

No its not too late and Yes u can pump it off its hard work though but way better for baby. Ask the staff at the hospital. they should give you some support

 

[lewsmom]

they may have a pump at the hospital u can use. if not maybe get someone to grab one for you?

 

[schmetterling]

Definitely get a breast pump as fast as you can (they should have great hospital grade ones in the hospital you can use) and start pumping every 2 hours around the clock. That should bring your milk in and give you enough to feed your baby with. Why, may I ask, will they not let you breastfeed in the NICU? Even if they don't, don't get discouraged! You can do this!! My daughter was in the NICU for 4 days, and wasn't very good at nursing, so I had to breastfeed her, then supplement her (with formula until my milk came in, then with pumped milk), then pump. It was very hard work, but so worth it. She soon got the hang of breastfeeding and I didn't need to pump anymore. We are going on 15 months of breastfeeding now.

I think it's wonderful that you want to give her this gift!

 

[lewsmom]

Definitely get a breast pump as fast as you can (they should have great hospital grade ones in the hospital you can use) and start pumping every 2 hours around the clock. That should bring your milk in and give you enough to feed your baby with. Why, may I ask, will they not let you breastfeed in the NICU? Even if they don't, don't get discouraged! You can do this!! My daughter was in the NICU for 4 days, and wasn't very good at nursing, so I had to breastfeed her, then supplement her (with formula until my milk came in, then with pumped milk), then pump. It was very hard work, but so worth it. She soon got the hang of breastfeeding and I didn't need to pump anymore. We are going on 15 months of breastfeeding now.

I think it's wonderful that you want to give her this gift!

Well done you!!!

 

[AP]

It's not too late - it was a few days before I really got going pumping, and we managed pumping for 15 weeks before I moved to formula (just through my choice)
Grab a pump as soon as you can and go!

I imagine you cant breastfeed because baby doesnt have the reflexes or has a medical condition?

 

[Kellen]

You can do it. My LO was in the NICU for 6 days and we BF immediately. Originally her pedi thought we were going to have to supplement with formula due to extremely low sugars, but after one feed her sugars came up and normalized.
As PP have said the hospital should have a pump for you. I know they let me keep one in her room so I could pump while we were there. Then at night I would set my alarm for every two hours and pump. That way she could have milk at night or whenever I was away.
Also see if the hospital won't bring over a lactation consultant from the maternity ward to help you with latch and position. Thankfully there were two prior LC who worked as nurses in my NICU and they were godsends! Without them I doubt we'd be EBF at 5 months. It was hard at first, but totally worth it. My LO is passed out on my breast from nursing during her morning nap. Best feeling EVER!

 

[nabo86]

i don't think its too late - i stopped BF for about 3/4 days and just pumped and then went back to EBF

try and get as much skin to skin you can when possible and that will help your milk supply

 

[schmetterling]

Definitely get a breast pump as fast as you can (they should have great hospital grade ones in the hospital you can use) and start pumping every 2 hours around the clock. That should bring your milk in and give you enough to feed your baby with. Why, may I ask, will they not let you breastfeed in the NICU? Even if they don't, don't get discouraged! You can do this!! My daughter was in the NICU for 4 days, and wasn't very good at nursing, so I had to breastfeed her, then supplement her (with formula until my milk came in, then with pumped milk), then pump. It was very hard work, but so worth it. She soon got the hang of breastfeeding and I didn't need to pump anymore. We are going on 15 months of breastfeeding now.

I think it's wonderful that you want to give her this gift!

Well done you!!!

Thank you!!

 

[3xpire]

@schmetterling
Yeah, they won't let me I don't think because of all the tubes shes been hooked up to, but now since its just an oxygen tube through her nose, Im thinking maybe I can just try to get her to latch if they let me. I'll have to give them a call. I tried hand expressing last night in the bath and then a couple times today to try to get something going while I'm waiting to get a pump. So we'll have to see how this goes.

 

[Kellen]

It is difficult to feed with all the wires, but it is possible. Even if they won;t let you BF I would say keep expressing and feed it to her via syringe or bottle. That is what we had to do until the CPAP macine was unhooked and she resumed breathing on her own.

 

[3xpire]

I finally got a breastpump they are giving me at the hospital and they're going to have me pump so they can give her bottles of that. But now another question! lol. I'm only able to really get about an ounce every hour or two out by expressing by hand, is this maybe too little? Or does anyone think I might be able to get more out by pumping with an electric pump?

 

[Julesillini8]

Hi. Just read your thread. Good for you to want to put in the effort! I think you will get more with the pump.... And it may take a day or two, but it should increase! Wishing you the best, and hope it works out. I love nursing and I know you won't regret it!

 

[3xpire]

Thanks! And yes, I'm so excited to start breastfeeding. I just hope I have good luck with getting her to latch! With all this time with her being in the nicu, I'm excited to start the bonding!

 

[lewsmom]

i should imagine u would get more with a pump. but the more u express/feed, the more your supply will come in too.. so in order to encourage milk, just keep pumping!

 

[Kellen]

I finally got a breastpump they are giving me at the hospital and they're going to have me pump so they can give her bottles of that. But now another question! lol. I'm only able to really get about an ounce every hour or two out by expressing by hand, is this maybe too little? Or does anyone think I might be able to get more out by pumping with an electric pump?

This is totally normal. Right now baby has a tiny tummy and I would be surprised if your LO takes more than an ounce. But BF is all about supply and demand. The more you pump or nurse the more you make.

 

[FoxMommy]

Way to go, definitely not too late. Find GOOD support, look into herbs to increase supply if pumping doesn't do it, but if you pump every three hours ESPECIALLY overnight when milk producing hormones are at their highest you should succeed. Best luck to your wee one in the nicu. My eight week early baby girl latched on at 3 weeks for the first time and never looked back. I'd recommend feeding cups/finger feeding to avoid bottles!

 

[petitpas]

Remember that your baby's tummy is still really small so you don't need much at the beginning. As you pump more and your baby nurses the amount you produce increases.
I found that looking at pictures of my baby whilst pumping worked really well, too. It sounds silly but it is true.
Good luck with everything and I hope you get to take your little girl home with you soon