https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 16:41:50 +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>