https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:21:38 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help/page/2#post-1612523 Mon, 05 May 2014 07:56:26 +0000 gilmoregirl 1612523@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: thinking of you and baby T. So glad to keep seeing positive updates from you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help/page/2#post-1612280 Sun, 04 May 2014 22:12:12 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1612280@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: awesome! Skin to skin is just amazing time. So glad your milk came in! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help/page/2#post-1612276 Sun, 04 May 2014 22:04:59 +0000 LovelyPlum 1612276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: good update!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help/page/2#post-1612271 Sun, 04 May 2014 21:58:54 +0000 pregnantbee 1612271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Reading this and tearing up. Such a stressful situation, and you are doing great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help/page/2#post-1612176 Sun, 04 May 2014 20:14:11 +0000 Applesandbananas 1612176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: that's an awesome update! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help/page/2#post-1612174 Sun, 04 May 2014 20:13:06 +0000 Madison43 1612174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Great news! So glad things are headed in the right direction :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help/page/2#post-1612171 Sun, 04 May 2014 20:10:10 +0000 jhd 1612171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: @ALittleP: thanks, ladies! :heart: </p> <p>I am exhausted, but I spent most of the day at the hospital yesterday and today. Milk came in yesterday and I'm getting the hang of pumping. We had our first skin to skin today. We both cried when it was over! He should lose yet another tube tomorrow so that's good news for cuddles! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help/page/2#post-1612127 Sun, 04 May 2014 19:37:11 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1612127@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hope you are doing great and had a good weekend with him! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help/page/2#post-1612098 Sun, 04 May 2014 19:16:48 +0000 ALittleP 1612098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wanted to stop by and give some words of encouragement. It is so hard those first few days. Pumping and not being able to hold your little one. It brings tears to my eyes thinking about it.</p> <p>Just keep it up! I always "stole" a blanket from my little one when I'd leave for the night so I could smell her when I was pumping. It helped to do that and look at a picture of her.</p> <p>What ever you do, it is wonderful for your little one. You go, Mama!!!</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help/page/2#post-1611262 Sun, 04 May 2014 01:57:38 +0000 LovelyPlum 1611262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: you are doing it, Mama!! I bet it was so amazing to.see DH with T :heart: Side note: I love the Lansinoh Therapearls-def worth it! I actually need another set, one for the freezer for sore nipples afyer feeding, and another to put in the microwave before I pump. Hope you find them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help#post-1611257 Sun, 04 May 2014 00:35:15 +0000 lady grey 1611257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: So glad to hear the update! I'm glad things are coming along and you seem a litte less stressed, so that is great. Keep up the good work you are doing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help#post-1611244 Sun, 04 May 2014 00:15:18 +0000 tysonja 1611244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>you are doing so great!! congratulations! :)</p> <p>just wanted to encourage you that the milk will come in eventually :). I had two typical births and both times it took around 3 weeks for my milk to come in. Frustrating, but eventually it did work :). It's great that you are already seeing an increase! :) can't wait to hear more! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help#post-1611213 Sat, 03 May 2014 23:01:18 +0000 QBbride 1611213@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: YAY! Such a great update!!! Holding your sweet babe will do wonders for your milk supply (and mood!)</p> <p>I don't pump often but a piece of advice that helped me was to start pumping then keep busy watching tv, being on your phone etc. Basically anything but looking down to see how much you've pumped, since that worry alone is enough to make you pump less! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help#post-1611202 Sat, 03 May 2014 22:30:00 +0000 jhd 1611202@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@AmeliaBedilia: just checked &amp; they have them at my local target (yay target app!) will send someone to get them tomorrow. Warm washcloths just get cold super quick! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help#post-1611197 Sat, 03 May 2014 22:25:01 +0000 jhd 1611197@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@AmeliaBedilia: thank you for your sweet words! I will try to find those compresses they sound good! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help#post-1611188 Sat, 03 May 2014 22:17:39 +0000 AmeliaBedilia 1611188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: You're doing a great job! I have heard that looking at pictures, video, or audio can help with pumping. Drink lots of fluids, and you can try warm compresses (lansinoh has therapearl 3 in 1 something) that can help, and as hard as it is, when you're pumping, try to think happy baby thoughts and don't think about how much milk you're pumping. There are also lactation cookies and tea that can help your supply. It sounds like your baby is blessed to have a devoted mom like you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help#post-1611148 Sat, 03 May 2014 21:46:53 +0000 jhd 1611148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@danda: and thank you for your advice &amp; encouragement :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help#post-1611146 Sat, 03 May 2014 21:46:14 +0000 jhd 1611146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@danda: we finally heard him cry for the first time today. I just had another great session watching the video of my little man cry! Thank goodness for my iPhone! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help#post-1611107 Sat, 03 May 2014 21:13:11 +0000 danda 1611107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: Good luck- it's so hard in the beginning! It sounds like you're moving into transitional milk now anyway, but otherwise I'd recommend seeing if someone could get you the smaller collection cups. </p> <p>It's so true about the baby helping you pump more! I've also read to look at baby photos or videos and smell an unwashed item of clothing when pumping away from baby. Also just do your best to relax (hard when stressed about pumping!) as this can help your letdown reflex. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help#post-1611088 Sat, 03 May 2014 20:52:22 +0000 jhd 1611088@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Basically I think the only way to increase volume in any way is to go hold my baby and then pump. This should be more and more possible as he gains strength. So I'm going to do my best to rest super well tonight so I can spend even more time at the hospital tomorrow. I'm still pretty weak but did just manage my first independent shower! Baby steps! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help#post-1611086 Sat, 03 May 2014 20:49:42 +0000 jhd 1611086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@danda: yes but that's all they gave me. That's why I was so incredibly frustrated b/c the early colostrum is so very thick I couldn't get it into anything and I couldn't figure out hand expression at all. I still don't really know what I'm doing ;) but it's more liquid-y today &amp; dripping down into the bottle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help#post-1611068 Sat, 03 May 2014 20:27:24 +0000 danda 1611068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: are you pumping into a bottle or a colostrum collection cup? I pumped into a little colostrum collection cup when my daughter was born and even if it only had a few drops I could get those few ml into a syringe. From your description it sounds like you might be pumping into a regular sized 4 - 6 ounce bottle (great for mature milk but not for the very beginning when volume is lower). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help#post-1611026 Sat, 03 May 2014 19:29:42 +0000 jhd 1611026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>And for the record the nurse was so excited to see the breast milk and couldn't have been more encouraging. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help#post-1611025 Sat, 03 May 2014 19:28:51 +0000 jhd 1611025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Seattlemom: @T.H.O.U.: @littlehunny: @Ms.Badger: @QBbride: @LAZB: </p> <p>Ladies thank you so much for your encouragement. I was a mess last night and you fave me some hope. I finally got some milk into the bottle and transferred to the syringe like I'm supposed to. </p> <p>The NICU staff is awesome. I know it's their job to encourage me to breast feed &amp; we live in an area where very few moms even try. They aren't trying to make me feel bad. </p> <p>Today I pumped 2 ml then 2.5ml. Then went to hospital, held baby (2nd time ever) and immediately pumped 10 ml!!! Then got 8.5 ml a couple hours later. DH got to hold T for the first time and that just melted my heart. :heart: </p> <p>I'm supposed to call the LC at my peds office Monday am with an update. We will talk supplements then she said. She wanted to see what my body would do if we just give it a chance.</p> <p>I'm not producing the textbook amount according to my nicu pump log but I know my body is working at it now so I can relax a little better about the whole situation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help#post-1610432 Sat, 03 May 2014 06:05:24 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1610432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, why did they say 8 times per day? That doesn't seem like enough. I though it should be every 2-3 hours which would be 8-12 times. If you want to speed this up you may need more "demand" aka more sessions. I know my newborn ate way closer to the 12 times in a 24 he window. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help#post-1610429 Sat, 03 May 2014 06:02:28 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1610429@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Try a hot shower and then pump. </p> <p>The 20 minute is not a hard fast rule. Maybe try 15 and if nothing is coming, stop, unhook, get a drink and then hook up for another 15. </p> <p>You could also try power pumping today which is basically non stop pumping. Like 20 minutes pump, 20 minutes off. And keep repeating for a few hours. The extra demand may stimulate supply. </p> <p>I know they gave you different size flanges but a really high percent of women fit the standard. Maybe try the other size again. Of they don't fit right it won't pull the milk out. </p> <p>Can you increase the suction power at all? </p> <p>I know you said hand expression isn't working but massages during pumping really helps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help#post-1610367 Sat, 03 May 2014 00:30:03 +0000 littlehunny 1610367@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You're doing the best you can! It was over a week before my milk really came in and it still wasn't enough for my twins. I started taking fenugreek and blessed thistle which really helped increase my supply. Keep pumping every 3 hours. I used to do 20-30 mins each time.<br /> The stress of having a baby in the nicu doesn't help at all and I found my supply increased once I got them home (after 3 weeks for L and 4 weeks for E). I just kept telling myself that my kids needed to eat and I was doing all I could so when they had to have some formula I tried to not beat myself up too much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help#post-1610353 Sat, 03 May 2014 00:13:03 +0000 Ms.Badger 1610353@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hate that they are making you feel bad, whether or not you pump tons of milk you are doing great. I know how hard it is to not have your son with you and every moment you are with him and every moment that you are trying to make things better for him, you are succeeding at something very, very hard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help#post-1610345 Sat, 03 May 2014 00:06:31 +0000 QBbride 1610345@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: sorry you're going through this :( I'm a NICU nurse and I know the nurses are probably not trying to stress you out, but waiting for your milk can be super stressful!</p> <p>A few suggestions if you have a few drops of milk:<br /> 1) use a q-tip to get the drops and use the q-tip to wipe his mouth or to wipe his lips<br /> 2) ask the nurses for some sterile water and use a bit of sterile water to mix with the drops of milk and feed baby that!</p> <p>Don't feel like you've let your baby down - you haven't! Stress can delay your milk coming in, and you've had a stressful few days. Hugs :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-for-nicu-baby-help#post-1610341 Sat, 03 May 2014 00:04:55 +0000 LAZB 1610341@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When we were in the nicu, I was able to pump a fair amount, but I knew several moms that couldn't. Don't let that make you feel bad, you are in a crappy situation. Your boobs know the difference between a baby and a pump, it isn't your fault that you aren't getting much. I would definitely try to talk to another LC, and see if there is anything else that might help. </p>