Breastfeeding (and pumping) for a preemie

By Sweet T Oct 3, 2013

Any tips? Tell me your stories!

DS was born at 33w2d. I've been pumping every 2-3 hours (every 4 overnight) since he was born. He's been home since Monday night and I'm trying to figure out this whole thing. We practiced with nursing while he was still in the NICU and he did pretty well. We nurse 3 times a day now and bottle feed the rest. I pump in between and even after nursing sessions. I just feel like I'm attached to the pump. DS eats every 3 hours and I'm supposed to pump every 2-3. By the time I nurse him, pump, clean my pump parts, etc, I hardly have any time before its time to go again. Sleep is pathetic at this point. The baby actually sleeps pretty well but the constant waking for feed/pump/clean is killing me. Did you wake your preemie to eat?

ETA: My goal is to be able to nurse for all feeds and pump to keep a small stash.

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14 comments

petunia354
pomegranate / 3863 posts

Oct 3, 2013

I don't have much advice because I ultimately gave up on nursing and exclusively pumped for 4 months. DS was born at 34 weeks exactly and much like you we did some bottle feeds and practiced nursing with LC's in the NICU. Once we got home though I just could not handle the nursing, then topping him off with a bottle and then pumping, washing pump parts, and then continuing the cycle all over again! I felt like I spent NO time with my baby.

We did have to wake him to eat because he was SO sleepy, but that was mostly during the day. At night he had no problem waking to eat, lol.

I totally get that all the bottle/pump cleaning is torture and pumping only means time away from your sweet baby. For us, he wasn't a great nurser so it was easier to just EP but if you'd really like to just BF, my advice is to keep at it! I sometimes wish that I had tried harder to BF but when you are in the trenches, especially with a preemie (or late preterm like mine) it's so hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Sorry, this wasn't very helpful and I don't have much advice but I'm SO glad that your sweet boy is HOME!! That is the best feeling ever Good luck on your journey, I'll be pulling for you. And if you ever need any support, I'm here!
lemondrop
bananas / 9118 posts

Oct 3, 2013

No advice, just a big congrats on bringing him home! Hope you are able to find some balance and sleep.
LovelyPlum
eggplant / 11408 posts

Oct 3, 2013

I don't have answers for you, but I'm so glad he's home! Congrats
Mrs. Tiger
blogger / pomegranate / 3044 posts

Oct 3, 2013

Congrats! I'm happy to hear that he's home. No advice, just empathy, I'm also pumping every two to three hours and going insane
MamaMoose
GOLD / squash / 13464 posts

Oct 3, 2013

The only tip I have is that if you store the pump parts in the fridge in between pumping sessions you can get away with just washing them once in the morning and once at night which should help cut down on the cleaning time.
junebugmama
nectarine / 2019 posts

Oct 3, 2013

@Sweet T: You can put your parts in a zip lock bag in the fridge and only clean them once or twice per day.

How old is baby now? and how is weight gain? Have you had a milk transfer weight done to see how much he is getting at the breast?

All of these questions are me just trying to figure out how close you are to not living by the pump.
Sweet T
pomelo / 5321 posts

Oct 3, 2013

@MamaMoose: @junebugmama: I could kiss you both! I never would've thought about the fridge thing!

@junebugmama: DS will be 3 weeks old tomorrow (36+2). He was 4lbs 6oz at birth and 4lbs 13oz at discharge Monday. I have an appointment with a LC tomorrow afternoon so I think we'll do milk transfer weight then.
junebugmama
nectarine / 2019 posts

Oct 3, 2013

@Sweet T: oh that's super weight gain for a preemie! Good job mama! I know how tough all of this can be. It takes a lot of dedication, but I think the end is in sight for you, if that milk transfer weight goes well. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.
Sweet T
pomelo / 5321 posts

Oct 12, 2013

I didn't mean to fall off the face of the planet after posting! I've been trying to find a free moment to come back.

@petunia354: Thanks! W is doing well with nursing so I'm hoping to be able to wean off of the pump at some point. It's nice having a stash but I don't want to be pumping all day every day for the next year (or longer). At least with nursing, I feel like I have a little time to spend with him. My poor toddler is just all out of sorts. I feel so bad because I just don't get to spend as much time with him as he's used to.

@lemondrop: @LovelyPlum: Thank you both!

@beaker: Thinking of you! I hope your LO is doing well and I hope pumping is going well for you too!

@junebugmama: We've had 2 lactation appointments since posting this. LO weighed 5lbs 1.8oz at the first appointment and 5lbs 6oz at the second appointment. We're now attempting to nurse for all feeds and topping of with a bottle. Then I pump after all of that's done. It's time consuming and exhausting but I'm hoping we'll be able to EBF soon!
mediagirl
hostess / wonderful persimmon / 25556 posts

Oct 12, 2013

Yay for being home! I agree with everyone else on refrigerating pump parts. Also, if you're in it for the long haul, get three full sets of parts. It's worth the extra cost.

I remember those early days and they weren't easy. Breastfeeding and pumping ruled my world for so long. Do you have help? Is your husband good at household chores? I really did let things go and he stepped up because he knew I was normally wither feeding M, pumping for her, weighing her or eating. Because they eat so often, there's not much time for more things!!

You can do it and we're all here to support you!
petunia354
pomegranate / 3863 posts

Oct 12, 2013

So glad to hear that things are going well!! For your sanity, I hope you can wean off the pump. It drove me nuts! I agree that the nursing and baby cuddles are much more enjoyable than being attached to a machine. Good luck! Thanks for the update
Trailmix
nectarine / 2152 posts

Oct 12, 2013

Buy a bunch more pump kits, that should help cut down on the washing time...I have three sets and am contemplating buying a fourth...good luck, congrats on bringing baby home!
Mrs Green Grass
pomelo / 5628 posts

Oct 12, 2013

My one piece of advice is to feed and pump at the same time. I used a boppy next to me. I hope nursing continues to get stronger and stronger!
singingbee
pomelo / 5073 posts

Oct 13, 2013

No advice since I'm on day 5 of my breastfeeding and pumping journey. Just wanted to say congrats!!!!

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