Update on Malia

Well yesterday they took her off the breathing tube an put her on back on the Cpas an last night she starting having her little espoide where she would stop breathing so they put the breathing tube back in an she is doing fine they are going to feed today but I don't know if I have a enough milk for them to do it ugh I am so stressed out because I pump every 3 hrs for 15mins an nothing is happening I get a few drops here an there I just don't know what to do.I called the hospital an told them to start her on formula an they told me no they want to use my breast milk an I don't want to be the reason my baby doesnot eat this is really taking a toll out on me. 

I'm sorry that's tough. I had that same problem after a while. But don't worry they start the baby's off with a small amount milk first so it shouldn't be a problem. Just give them what you have. How many days ago did you have her? If your really concerned try fenugreek or talk to a lactation nurse they can definitely give you some pointers and could possibly perscribed some meds that will help produce more milk like i said towards the end when the start giving my son more milk i didn't have enough. If nothing else works then ask them about donor breastmilk, don't worry it's safe they screen it just like they do blood. But if this problem continues eventually when he goes home your going to have to give him formula anyways, thats what i had to do. good luck.

Hey, ive been there girl and my one piece of advice is do not give up! Its barely been a week since you had her right? with a preemie it takes longer for your milk to come in sometimes, especially with a c-sec. Try pumping every 2 hours, and you should be doing it for at least 20 mins each breast, if not 30. The more you do it the more it will encourage your supply. 15 mins every 3 hours just isnt going to be enough just now hun. Dont think it will be like ths forever, it wont! But just for a few weeks until your supply is up and you can express with ease. Soon enough you will only need to do it every 4 hours, then life becomes alot more bearable! Dont worry about not having enough for her, trust me, at this stage she will probably only be getting less than 10ml every 3 hours or so. Infact at the start they usually just trial a few drops and check her lipids and various levels to see how her system is coping. It will mainly be TPN that she gets all her nutritional benefit from right now, at this stage thebreastmilk is really just to get her system working and check how she can cope and if she has residuals etc.

Have something of your baby close to you when you pump, do it right when you are in the hospital with her as much as you can. Sometimes it helps to do manual massage and lay hot cloths on your boobs. And try to get let-down and hand express a few drops before you get on the pump, sometimes that helps alot too. Many women just do it better by hand, especially for let down, its a really individual thing and you have to find out what works best for you. Also, speak to your LC and see what they suggest, try different pumps etc. Bare in mind that poor nutrition and stress (emotional and physical) also affect your supply. Try to be relaxed when you are pumping, instead of putting pressure on yourself and freaking about every drop that comes (or doesnt) come, it will make a big difference.

I know its hard, but this is one tangible thing that you can really do to help her right now. Being so young she needs the extra immunity you can provide, and your milk is much better for her immature digestive system. Babies on formula are much more likely to suffer from NEC and that is something you dont want to risk. Going to and fro with the CPAP is really really common too. Is she on regular vent now or oscillator? sounds like reg cmv vent but i wasnt sure by your writing. Im sure they will watch her closely and help her progress as and when she can. Does she have RDS/did they give her any surfactnt?

I know how hard it is with the breastfeeding, truly i do! I pumped religiously and still am 5 MONTHS later!!! During those first 4 months i nearly gave up SO many times; i was so sore, exhausted and in pain. So many times my supply dwindled to less than an oz per session, i was depressed and dreaded 'pumping time'. But i stuck at it, and finally after 4 LONG MONTHS came the best day of my life, the day i got to hold my son and feed him, looking in each others eyes and just truly bonding and connecting like it should have been right from the start. That feeling alone made it all worth it! Good luck x x