trying to breastfeed a preemie born at 26 weeks

My baby boy Hunter Wayne was born on 1/16/2012 at 26 weeks 3 days. He is currently in the NICU where he will remain until around the end of april. I am currently breastfeeding well..pumping with a medical grade breast pump. I am extremely worried about drying up. I know that breast milk best for all babies and esp for him because he is so premature. My first time pumping I got about 10 CC's a few days later 20 and then went all the way up to between 70-80 CC's per pumping. However yesterday I noticed my milk production was slightly lower about 50 CC's and has been fluctuating alot. Sometimes I'll only get 10 then others I'll get 40. This has me concerned that something may be going on. Am I starting to dry up already ? I'm not able to hold my son and only get to watch him through the plastic box. The nurses told me I will probably have a hard time since he was born so young and my milk really didn't get a chance to come in. My question is is fluctuation like this normal ? How much milk should I be producing with him being a week old? I have read that your body will produce what the baby needs but is this true if he isn't actually "sucking" and feeding that way?

<blockquote><b>Quoting Wilfong88:</b>" My baby boy Hunter Wayne was born on 1/16/2012 at 26 weeks 3 days. He is currently in the NICU where ... [snip!] ... have read that your body will produce what the baby needs but is this true if he isn't actually "sucking" and feeding that way?"</blockquote>


Are you pumping every 3 hours?

All I can really say is to try not to physic yourself up. A lot of the apparent "dry up" spells women experience are due to stress about it.

Stress WILL cause you to not express as much.

Good luck. Stay strong. I commend you for continuing to pump for your preemie.

Quoting Wilfong88:" My baby boy Hunter Wayne was born on 1/16/2012 at 26 weeks 3 days. He is currently in the NICU where ... [snip!] ... have read that your body will produce what the baby needs but is this true if he isn't actually "sucking" and feeding that way?"

You may dry up. There's another mama on here who's LO was born around the same time, and she was unable to get any milk after a few weeks.

I wouldn't stress about it, though. Get what you can, and then give him formula. What's really important is that he's eating and growing.

GL!!

there is no how much you should be produceing

first off make sure you are drinking enough water
and second how often are you pumping, in the pamplet the nicu gave me
it said doesnt matter how long or long between you pump as long as you pump 10 times a day

a nicu nurse also exsplained to me that just because baby has been drinking through a tube and then a bottle didnt mean i wouldent be able to nurse because there instinct is to suck on anything put in there mouth was somthing i was conserned about with them giving him a bottle
and after he came home he was able to latch on and nurse we made it to 8 months!

and then my second boy both in nicu made it to 13 months
im going to pray for you and your little man if thats ok?

My daughter was born at 34 weeks so I pumped every 3 hours. Make sure your drinking lotssss of water. Talk to a lactation specialist at the hospital to see if they can give you some suggestions. Gl momma

also order some of this and i cant stress the water enough

http://www.amazon.com/Motherlove-Herbal-Company-More-capsules/dp/B000ITVRD2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327293673&sr=8-1

I am pumping every 2 hours during the day and every 4 hours at night. I heard the more you pump the more milk you will produce. I don't know how true that is as it doesnt seem to be working for me.

Quoting Wilfong88:" I am pumping every 2 hours during the day and every 4 hours at night. I heard the more you pump the more milk you will produce. I don't know how true that is as it doesnt seem to be working for me."

The pump is a bitch, in my opinion.

Just keep doing what you can and don't stress too much about the numbers. How many MLs is your LO drinking now at a feeding?

Quoting .•:*¨¨*:•.♥ .•:*¨¨*:" there is no how much you should be produceing first off make sure you are drinking enough water and ... [snip!] ... 8 months! and then my second boy both in nicu made it to 13 months im going to pray for you and your little man if thats ok?"

Thank you! && yes prayers would be greatly appreciated as hunter was also born with spina bifida and had to undergo surgery to fix it 2 days after he was born. So far he is doing GREAT but he still has a very long road ahead of him.

Quoting N.Lo:" The pump is a bitch, in my opinion. Just keep doing what you can and don't stress too much about the numbers. How many MLs is your LO drinking now at a feeding?"

He is drinking 4 ML's every 3 hours.

Quoting Wilfong88:" My baby boy Hunter Wayne was born on 1/16/2012 at 26 weeks 3 days. He is currently in the NICU where ... [snip!] ... have read that your body will produce what the baby needs but is this true if he isn't actually "sucking" and feeding that way?"

I had a 27 weeker myself, and it was a bitch to pump, I am problems producing and my doctor put me on domperidone, I am not sure if they prescribe that in the states or not, have you talked to the lactation consultant, the NICU should have one.

Quoting Wilfong88:" I am pumping every 2 hours during the day and every 4 hours at night. I heard the more you pump the more milk you will produce. I don't know how true that is as it doesnt seem to be working for me."

the more often you pump the more often your breast will fill up but it takes awhile for your body to adjust to it......dont stress and make sure you stay hydrated and take in enough calories  

how are you doing today?

<blockquote><b>Quoting Tara - Anya's mommy:</b>" I had a 27 weeker myself, and it was a bitch to pump, I am problems producing and my doctor put me on ... [snip!] ... am not sure if they prescribe that in the states or not, have you talked to the lactation consultant, the NICU should have one."</blockquote>




They don't, but she could order it online! Stress is a big factor, I think, in supply issues with preemies so try not to stress too much OP.