Breastfeeding for Preemie

Kudos to you for being such a good mom! My lactation consultants recommended Gatorade (lots of it) when my milk supply was down. It has salt, which helps retain fluids, and keeps you hydrated which is very important. There are supplements you can get at health food stores, like Mother's Milk tea, and another herbal pill I bought (can't remember the name). Gatorade, and LOTS of pumping really worked for me. I was extremely ill at one point, and could only pump about 1 ounce per day but with that regimen I quickly regained my plentiful supply. Good luck!!!

Stress can be a factor in milk supply, and it sounds as if you have had your fair share. Of course, breastmilk production works on a law of supply and demand, so not being able to be consistent can be an issue. One tip that I give to moms is to pump for 1 min. past the time they see the last drop of milk. This can trigger more hormone release and increase supply. It's worth a try. Please know that your precious baby will be in my prayers!

I didn't have a problem with milk supply but I did still pump and work, I took the same breaks as those people who smoked and pumped during those two breaks and lunch every day then put the milk in a small square lunch box/cooler in the freezer at work until time to go home. Hope this helps!

I don't know about breastfeeding for a preemie, but I do know that stimulation will keep the milk coming....also hot water hitting your breasts in the shower. Ask your peditrician or call the lactaid consultant at your hospital.

I have had two preemies, neither that many weeks early, but with my first I ran into the same problem as you. I tried taking Fenugreek, a herbal supplement. I was able to continue nursing for three more months which made me feel a whole lot better. The second go around, I refused to supplement with formula at all and we are going on nine months of nursing without any hitches since he was three months old. Each time is different, but the last thing you need to do is get discouraged. Keeping a positive attitude and being there for your baby is more important than being stressed out and cranky trying to nurse, since babies can sense that. Hope this helps.

I took an herbal supplement called Fenugreek and that really helped increase my milk supply. You start out taking like 4 a day and try to increase to 9 per day until you feel like your milk supply is adequate. You will know you are getting the maximum benefit when you start to smell a little like maple syrup, I know kind of weird : ) I have a 3 1/2 month old and she was born 6 weeks prematurely. Breastfeeding a preemie really has so many benefits so I would definitely keep trying. Good luck!!

http://forums.lalecheleague.org/ There is a board here for breastfeeding premature infants. Sometimes they come up with things the nurses do not.

First I want to say that I'm so glad that your baby girl is doing great for being so premature. I will keep her in my prayers...since preemies have their good days and bad days, it is normal. If you need someone to talk to, we are always here.

I had problems with producing milk for my twins that were born 10 weeks early...I tried everything and it just didn't work. My body just wouldn't produce like I wanted. I did get the good stuff pumped for the first few weeks, so it was ok that I couldn't breastfeed them. The NICU will give them additional source of iv's and nutrients, if you can't produce the milk. So don't be hard on yourself if you aren't producing.

Donor milk is also a good idea...I didn't have that opportunity with my twins...but it wouldn't hurt to check it out.

Hope that helps and God Bless you and your little girl!

Take care,
God Bless,
J. D

Proud, Blessed Momma to boy/girl twins ~ 3 1/2 yrs old
Born 10 wks early...weighing 2 lbs 13 oz and 3 lbs 12 oz

V.,
I to had a preemie. I know how time consuming and frustration pumping can be, but don't forget why you are doing it. Talk to the lactation consultant in the NICU, she can give you plenty of suggestions to help keep your milk supply coming and even increase it. I know it is hard to pump at work, but explain to your employer why this is so important not only to you but to your little one. It is so important to pump 8 times a day for 20 minutes and ask your lactation consultant about taking the herb fenugreek, it will help increase your supply and it is totally safe for your baby and you... I had to start taking it myself. Only another mother of a preemie knows what you are going through, do your best to keep your milk supply up, but if you cannot don't let anyone make you feel bad about putting your baby on formula. No one else can understand how hard it is to have your baby in the hospital while you are trying to continue to run your household and life. You will make the best decision for you and your baby. You and your little girl are in my prayers. Good Luck!

Congratulations! You are doing a great job during a stressful time. I don't have any answers about the breast feedings, but I want to encourage you. My daughter was born at 26 weeks. Now she is 10 months old and doing fantastic, despite all the terrible things I was told early on. I received a lot of support from ivillage.com on their preemie discussion board.

I also had a premature baby she was 10 weeks early. I had frozen breast milk put up for her when she began to eat the problem I ran into was I would only pump a ounce at a time and I too tried stuff to bring in milk supply. Well, my baby could not do any formula right off and my NICU recommended Donor milk until she was a little bit older it helped my daughter and it completely safe. You might want to ask the NICU or pediatrician about that

Definitely make sure you are drinking and eating enough to boost your supply. Also you might need a better breast pump. Check with your insurance, they might cover the cost of one in full or in part. My 27wk preemie was able to breastfeed for the first time when he was 4 months old and it made all those tearful frustrating pumping sessions all worth it. Hope everything works out!