https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 02:46:43 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-preemies-breastfeeding-question#post-1460357 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 14:55:48 +0000 MrsF 1460357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was pumping after every feed because M was a sleepy eater (36 weeks) and needed to be supplemented with bottle feeds after nursing. I weaned down the pumping sessions over 4 or 5 days until were were only nursing and maybe pumping once every few days just to have a stash. I was pretty uncomfortable but I think my supply regulated pretty quickly. </p> <p>We also used a nipple shield because she had such a tiny little mouth and my nipples were flat. It took us a while (maybe 2 months?) to get rid of the shield. I think her mouth really needed to get a little bigger to have a proper latch that didn't hurt me. I started beginning the nursing session with the shield and then taking it off once she wasn't so hungry and my nipple was drawn out a little. You might have more success during the day vs night or the other way around. I would just take it slowly and try it every once in a while to see how he does. </p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-preemies-breastfeeding-question#post-1460316 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 14:18:31 +0000 MrsRcCar 1460316@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dandelion: Right around every 4 hours. Although I haven't pumped since 8:30 this morning. My DH calls me a super producer lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-preemies-breastfeeding-question#post-1460253 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 13:07:35 +0000 Dandelion 1460253@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsRcCar: How often do you pump now? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-preemies-breastfeeding-question#post-1460251 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 13:04:11 +0000 MrsRcCar 1460251@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dandelion: I have been pumping around 10 ounces each time I pump. I have a great freezer supply but I don't want to feel so full all the time and worry about leaking. We are in for a bad storm this weekend so I suppose I will just not pump anymore and hopefully it won't cause any problem. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-preemies-breastfeeding-question#post-1460195 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 12:00:30 +0000 Dandelion 1460195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsRcCar: The hot water is a double edged sword, though...it encourages production, but also relieves the soreness. But, yeah, hand expression is the best, because you don't want to tell your body that you need a 3 oz bottle of milk at that time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-preemies-breastfeeding-question#post-1460193 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 11:58:05 +0000 MrsRcCar 1460193@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dandelion: I am thinking I will have to hand express for comfort for at least a little bit. I feel so full! I woke up this morning with rocks on my chest! :( Thanks for your suggestions! </p> <p>@JennyG: I will have to give that a try. I would love to lose the shields all together. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-preemies-breastfeeding-question#post-1460171 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 11:42:29 +0000 Dandelion 1460171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsRcCar: IF you hand express for comfort, it shouldn't clog very much, if at all. Let hot water run over them during your showers for a while, as that relieves clogging, too.</p> <p>He'll probably be off the shield, soon. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-preemies-breastfeeding-question#post-1460161 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 11:35:06 +0000 JennyG 1460161@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO was born 35 weeks 5 days. Once I could nurse him, I used a shield for one side. I really wanted to wean him off it, so I would try the beginning of every other time I nursed on that side without the shield. He would soon get frustrated (as would I) and I would put the shield on. It took about 4 weeks for him to start latching. It will eventually get there, but may take some time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-preemies-breastfeeding-question#post-1460151 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 11:31:00 +0000 MrsRcCar 1460151@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dandelion: He seems to be ok on one side without the shield. I think I just need to work more with him on it. My first instinct was to just not pump anymore once we were home but I have an intense fear of getting sick. I guess the weekend is the best time to just cut out pumping all together. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-preemies-breastfeeding-question#post-1460127 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 11:09:41 +0000 Dandelion 1460127@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That happened to me. Your body will regulate once it's all baby and less pumping.</p> <p>Don't pump anymore for now...don't tell your boobs you need that milk. When you get engorged, just hand express a bit. It's going to be uncomfortable for a little bit, but you need to train them to calm it down.</p> <p>I don't know about the nipple shield, though...DS took to nursing really well, despite the NICU. Have you tried it without the shield? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-preemies-breastfeeding-question#post-1460118 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 11:03:31 +0000 MrsRcCar 1460118@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS#2 was born at 35 weeks 4 days. He was TPN and Lipids "fed" until he could have a tube fed put in. He had an OG tube for most of his hospital stay. They did bottle feed him breast milk once he could tolerate suck, swallow, breath. When I was there I put him to breast but with a shield. Since he was born early and couldn't be put to breast they had me pumping every 3 hours to ensure that my supply would be ok. </p> <p>Fast forward to now, E is home and breast feeding with aid of a shield but he isn't eating as much as I was pumping. I need help with the following problems:</p> <p>1. How do I cool off the amount my body is producing?<br /> 2. How do I avoid getting a clogged duct or mastitis while my supply regulates?<br /> 3. How can I wean off the shield? </p> <p>Any other tips for breastfeeding a preemie would be wonderful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-when-did-you-stop-thinking-about-adjusted-age#post-742930 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:57:27 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 742930@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know yet, but I don't think it'll be until we are counting I years. I don't really believe kids "catch up." I just think there is enough variation at some point that it just doesn't matter anymore. Dylan is on track for all adjusted age milestones and is on the small side of that age. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preemie-moms-when-did-you-stop-thinking-about-adjusted-age#post-742157 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:51:49 +0000 littlek 742157@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When did you stop caring about adjusted age? I stopped once he was hitting all his milestones based on his actual birth age and climbed on to the weight/height charts. </p>