If your baby was in the NICU, how often did you pump?
I did every 3-4 hours last night bc I was so out of it. The first two pumps I got 1/2 ML and 1 ML in a syringe of colostrum but these last two pumps nothing. 
I'm a little scared of pumping too often and getting an oversupply which I had a bit of with DS.
pomegranate / 3904 posts
I pumped every 2.5-3 hours, I was paranoid about not having enough of a supply
kiwi / 635 posts
My first kiddo didn't go to NICU (but did have some jaundice/feeding difficulties) and I pumped a ton and ended up with oversupply.
Second kiddo was in NICU for a week. I was able to breastfeed him and I would breastfeed every 2 hours and then pump and try to get him to take some of the pumped milk after each nursing session. Overnight and if I went home, I had the nurses feed him every 3 hours and I pumped every 3 hours. I did not end up with oversupply.
clementine / 957 posts
When our LO was in the NICU, I would go down and try to feed her for 20 minutes, go back to the room and pump for 20 minutes, and then try to rest until I had to start over again. So basically 2 hours from the start of trying to feed her to the start of feeding her the next time.
I imagine if I wasn't able to nurse at all, I'd do it every 2.5 to 3 hours or so.
As a side note, while I was pumping in the hospital, I got a decent amount of colostrum when I pumped right after my c-section, then it slowly dropped the next day or so. Some pumps I got almost nothing, but the NICU nurses assured me that wasn't abnormal. About 4 or 5 days after she was born, I started to get more.
Hope your LO is out of the NICU soon. It's certainly hard to have them be there but the nurses who take care of them are angels!
pomelo / 5607 posts
Every 2-3 hours with one 4 hour stretch at night to let me sleep. I never had an oversupply.
coconut / 8430 posts
I pumped every 2.5-3 hours around the clock while my son was in the NICU. I didn't have an over supply.
Have you tried hand expressing? I found that in the first few days I was getting more via hand expression than the pump.
apricot / 452 posts
I pumped every 2.5 - 3 hours, with a 4 hours stretch overnight too. I would try to put DS to breast while in the NICU to practice latching, and then leave him basically on but not latched while they put the pumped milk in his NG tube to associate the smell of me / my breast with a fully tummy. Not sure if that helped, but he did nurse well once he got the hang of it a couple weeks later.
I didn't get much at first either, but it does get better. I had some oversupply, but part of that was just DS being small and not eating much at a time. It took us a few weeks to really level out, but it wasn't a problem. I had a decent stash started before going back to work 
Hang in there! I also found that the hospital grade pump worked WAY better than the one I bought locally. I wish I had just rented one.
honeydew / 7463 posts
Mine was in the nicu for a little over 48 hours, a short stint. But I was such an emotional Trainwreck and so exhausted (48 hours of labor and eventual c section with little sleep) that the best I could do was every 3-4 hours. The nurses tried coming in to wake me in the night to pump every 1.5-2 hours and I finally broke down sobbing and asked them to let me sleep.
I still ended up with a stellar supply only pumping 3-4 hours. I could pump 6 oz each side by the time we got home (12 total). I'm afraid of what it would have been had I pumped every 1.5-2 hours!
grapefruit / 4712 posts
We were in the NICU for 13 days. I pumped every 2-3 hours it started out slow but I ended up with a wonderful supply. We are still nursing twice a day and my NICU grad is well past 2 years old. Just keep pumping! Make sure your flanges fit properly and link up with a LC at the hospital. Can you pump bed side? Or perhaps with a blanket that your lo was wrapped in? Also make sure you are staying well hydrated and you are keeping up with calories.
I know this a lot to take in. Feel free to Wall me if you have any other questions. NICU life is hard, and it can feel isolating, but remember you aren't alone. Big hugs momma. 
pomelo / 5628 posts
Every 3. It's was absolutely horrible by myself in my hospital room, by it got better. Don't worry about small amounts. I never had oversupply so not sure about that...
pear / 1974 posts
Every 2-3 hours - he was only in the NICU for 7 days and i was able to nurse him when i was there during the day, maybe for 2-3 feedings a day? I didn't have an over supply problem. I HATED pumping though!!!
kiwi / 549 posts
Thanks everyone for your responses. I nursed and pumped with my son but didn't start pumping until he was several weeks old. With dd now, however, i started the same day she was born/taken to NICU so I'm just not sure what to expect. Guess I will continue to pump every 2-3 hours and hope my milk comes in soon.
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