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Infant feeding

Exclusively pumping for ds in SCBU struggling to keep up!

8 replies

SpottyTeacakes · 04/12/2012 07:15

They are currently giving him 28ml/hr and they've just run out. I can't get in until 10 even so I'm not pumping that much I'm getting between 70-90ml every three hours in the day and four at night.

I'm hoping to start breastfeeding him soon I'm going to drown him aren't I? I don't know if I should be expressing more frequently or just accept he may need a little top up for a few days.

Anyone got any advice? Three hourly is hard enough in between the 40 minute drive to hospital/40 minutes expressing (including cleaning equipment)/running dd to places/trying to look after her....

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HDee · 04/12/2012 07:37

That's quite a lot hourly, he must be a big baby?

I think you physically can't express more, so just ask them them to mix it 75/25 with formula to pad it out a bit.

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SpottyTeacakes · 04/12/2012 07:42

He was 7lb13 at 35+4 do you think that's better than giving him a couple of whole formula feeds a day?

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Seriouslysleepdeprived · 04/12/2012 07:54

Congratulation & sorry he's in SC. How old is he?

Is there donor milk to top up with? Might be worth asking if its an option. I express for the SCBU & know some weeks they get by without using any formula at all.

Sounds like you are doing brilliantly with expressing.

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SpottyTeacakes · 04/12/2012 08:02

He's eight days old today. They haven't mentioned donor milk but I will definitely ask. I'm also nervous as to how hungry he's going to be when they stop tube feeding him!

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babyson · 04/12/2012 08:26

Hi, congratulations on your DS! I had this problem when my DS was around the same age. I felt so guilty about having to use formula but I couldnt keep up with expressing (he was big but not as big as your DS :-)). But it was only for a few days, he was demand breast fed on coming home and I didnt give him formula again (bf for 15 months). I wish I hadnt worried so much about a bit of formula, it really didnt make any difference, my advice would just be to accept a bit of formula for however long he needs it. I think you will find he feeds a lot when you get him home but it will be so much easier than him being in special care. Good luck!

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slug · 04/12/2012 09:33

Don't sweat about a few formula feeds. The nurses in the SCBU where DD spent 10 days had a running joke about the minuscule amount I produced. DD was nearly 9 pounds so ther wasn't a lot to do but top up with formula. As long as you keep regularly expressing, your milk should keep coming.

I found there was a big difference between a feeding baby and expressing. I always produced more with the baby on the breast rather than the machine.

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thezoobmeister · 04/12/2012 14:25

Spotty, at 35 weeks gestation I think many babies are able to feed directly from the breast - are the hospital supporting you to do this?

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SpottyTeacakes · 04/12/2012 15:13

I've done three breast feeds so far and the one just now has actually emptied my boob! I have to go home tonight but from tomorrow I'm able to stay until Sunday so hopefully we'll have it sorted by then! Thanks for all the supportive messages sometimes that's all you need