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I pumped for a 7 week NICU stay this winter. The key for me was making it was easy as possible to actually pump 8-9x/day. Even the smallest increase in “work” or inconvenience made my pump times start to slide further apart. I’m heading to work shortly, but I’ll come back to this thread with aa bunch of product and life hack tips that got me through.

Just wanted to send you lots of love. Mine was a NICU baby as well - 10 days - and I pumped for as long as I could but to be honest, I gave up after 6 weeks and went full time formula. My biggest advice would be to take care of yourself - pumping nonstop really exhausted me and the added lack of sleep did a number of my mental health for a while. I hope everything works out as you want it to, but just wanted to tell you that it's OK if it doesn't and taking care of yourself is key. My daughter is about to turn 6 and is a happy healthy perfect kid, so everything will work out ok. Lots of love to you and your little.

No NICU help, just supply suggestions:

1) Get a water bottle with a straw (I use a camelback) - for some reason I drink 3x as much because its one handed.

2) Oatmeal really helped with my supply, and I found the easiest way was through a smoothie. (Milk, Strawberry, Banana, oatmeal, blend) Again, its easy, filling and one-handed.

3) For pumping, it really helped me to hear by DD, so I would watch videos of her crying/cooing to help with my let down.

I hope that everything is going as well as it can for you right now. Remember that we are your community and are there for you. Even if you can't write anything just ask for some love and we will send it.

The stuff that was crucial for me was:
• at least 4 sets of pump parts. It was essential for me to be able to do my immediately before bed and overnight pumps without having to do dishes in between. I set up my pump parts for the overnight pumps so it was all assembled right next to the bed such that I didn’t have to do anything but hook up and pump.
• Handsfree pumping gear was extremely helpful. I used one of those strapless bandeau style things for my first kid, but this time around I really liked tank tops that had flange holders built in or using nursing tanks/bras with this: Hands-Free Nursing Bra Accessory, Strapless Pumping Bra Attachment by Momcozy - Pairs w/Clip and Pump Bras for Breast Pump of Medela, Lansinoh, Ameda, Spetra, Evenflo (Black, Medium) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078F15SWS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_3zU2CbH2XBSW1 If you’re on the edge between sizes, size down. A snug fit works better. I didn’t have to change or undress at all to use it.

I think the 8x a day is most only. Extra pump parts were super helpful. I kept a set by my bed a home and separate set at the hospital. I also took up cross-stitching ( a birth announcement...) gave me something to do. Massaging the breast area is also super helpful during pumping. My son was in the nicu for nearly 5 months and I pumped for 11!

As a fellow NICU mama, just wanted to pop in and say this is hard, so hard, but you can do this. We were 32w3d with a 34 day stay and it was Baby#1, so I knew nothing about boobs, pumping, breastfeeding, any of it.

I agree completely with pumping near here or with her in your lap - DD was also under the bili light some, but when we also utilized a "bili blanket" that allowed her to come out and still get light while getting some skin to skin and me getting better let down.

I found the hospital-grade Medela Symphony I was using in the NICU was much better for getting everything out of me that the smaller Medela Freestyle I'd actually purchased. I ended up abandoning the Freestyle and renting a symphony at home. It also made pumping at work easier sine everything was the same.

Definitely need the hands-free pumping bra. I had the Medela one... while about the ugliest thing around, I never felt like it was slipping or going to fall off.

Re: being in the NICU in general, a few thoughts/bits of advice:
- The uncertainty of the length of stay is by far one of the most stressful things. You are burning up maternity leave just wondering when your sweet baby can come home and normal life start. My only advice for this, take one day at a time. It will happen eventually. What you absolutely don't want is a NICU bounce back bc many hospitals then send your kiddo to the PICU since they've been exposed to the outside world (read: germs).
- Try to be present for rounds if at all possible. This is the time to be present, learn the plan for the day and ask questions. If you aren't medical and feeling like you don't understand everything they are saying, ask if they can do "family-centered rounds," where they do mostly the same thing just in lay speak.

Re: driving - I was on Magnesium for severe pre-E and HELLP, and it sounds like maybe you were too. I had scotoma (visual flashes) and what I could only describe as "funhouse vision" for the first 48 hrs after delivery. Because of this, I think I waited until Day 3 or 4 to drive. I had DH drive me otherwise or ubered. Fortunately I only live 2 miles from our hospital, but it sounds like you are much further out.

Re: you elevated BPs, I imagine they have you on labetalol now... just make sure to keep checking your BPs... if you had normal blood pressure prepregnancy, you'll probably return to that and could overshoot with the meds. I only mention it since you said you felt uncomfortable driving. Low BP or severely elevated BP can both cause safety issues in driving.

Lastly, I'm here to talk if you need anyone to talk to. Those NICU days are long and sometimes boring. Just keep swimming.

@magnolia:

@magnolia: Woohoo!!
and now its going to be the easiest and hardest part of your life.