Expressing for a baby in intensive care

[bumpysleighridejack]

Any tips for expressing for a baby in intensive care? He's been medically put to sleep so no chance of holding him and obviously can't hear him crying. Using the hospital breast pump and I was fine overnight, but this morning my supply was starting to dry up. Any tips? Baby is 3 weeks old and was a champion feeder and I had great supply before this, too much if anything. I've tried looking at photos/ breast massage/ pumping next to him. Baby would normally feed every 2 hours but I'm just pumping every 4 because I didn't want to over-do it, should I be pumping more regularly? Also, any success stories on if my supply does dry up on getting it going again when LO is well (we don't know when that will be ATM) TIA

Hi Bumpy

Sorry your baby isn’t well. When DS was in NICU I couldn’t hold him either so the way I got things going was to religiously pump every 2 hours. It’s grim, you’ll need to set alarms through the night as well, but it should get everything going. Are you using an electric pump? The hospital can find you one if not, they’re much easier.

Sorry forgot, something which smells like your baby is helpful. Some hospitals offer fabric hearts or small blankets so you can put one with your baby and one with you and swap them over periodically. If your hospital doesn’t have anything like that then a small piece of fabric, a vest top, anything, should be fine but you’ll probably have to run it by the nurses for infection control.

Pump every time you would expect baby to have a feed. Fenugreek supplements from Holland and Barrett are ace!

Stay hydrated! It’s so easy to get behind with your drinking when you’re in NICU/PICU, and they’re always really hot. Best wishes for your little one

Thanks everyone loads of great advice! Yes I do keep forgetting to drink, and I didn't eat much yesterday but they're feeding me today which is great. I'll start pumping every 2 hours, and I've tucked a vest in with baby and a vest down my top. Then when I swap them over he'll have one that smells of me and I'll have one that smells of him.

I had to express for 2 weeks when DS was born as he was in SCBU (premature).
Express whenever baby would normally feed. Just be careful not to trigger an over supply. I fell into a bad habit of expressing and feeding (I liked having back up milk) but then I couldn't stop as my supply was insane.

Yeah I was worried about over supply because my supply was a bit crazy before because he's been such a good feeder, but I think I've tipped back the other way. I guess in a way it's giving me a focus, it's good to have a job to do. Just concerned I couldn't get anything out this morning but I'll try again in a bit

I expressed for 4 months when dd1 was in nicu. Is the pump by the cot or in a separate room? I would second making sure you are eating/ drinking enough and fenugreek.

I was pumping in a separate room over night, I'm next to him today. Unfortunately we will have to stay away from him again tonight but hoping something that smells of him will help with that. I'll try and get some fenugreek too. Thanks for all the re-assuring messages, 10 minutes and I'm going to try and pump again so I'll update then

Nope nothing coming out trying not too panic, it's so weird I was filling bottles last night. I'll just keep going

@bumpysleighridejack don’t stress too much, I’m sure that makes it worse! Nurses will top up with formula or donor milk if needed, and if you have too much they will freeze the milk for you. Do you know how long your baby will be in nicu for?

Hi Robs, luckily I got loads out last night so they've got some to be going on with, I just hope I don't dry up completely. Just feeling really gutted cos he was such a good feeder, putting on loads of weight and I breast fed my first until nearly a year so I'd be devastated to loose it now. Best estimate at the moment is about a week.

Sorry your little ones sick.
I had to express every 3hours when my baby was in NICU. Unfortunately, I always found the middle of night one (about 3am) was where I always got most. During the day it was minimal.
I hope all works out well for you and your baby x

Is it possible you have a blocked duct? Stress can greatly affect breastmilk production and having a baby in ICU is understandably very stressful! Your gp may be able to prescribe medication to increase supply if you call them. Porridge oats and fenugreek are also anecodtally helpful. Have you tried hand expressing?

Do you have videos of your baby on your phone? In the absence of hearing him cry all those little noises recorded might help. Also second the something that smells of him. Have you discussed if there is any way you could have some.skin to skin? It would need to be heavily supervised due to his current state but it is possible to skin to skin a ventilated baby in some circumstances. If picu arent confident someone from the NICU would likely be able to advise.

You need to look after you too; sleep, eat and drink plenty.

Thank you both, definitely need to get some of this fenugreek! Actually now you say it the pumps I got most from where at night, maybe that's partly it. I also think I haven't really eaten anything and I am quite stressed. Going to take myself off for a coffee and something sweet soon then try again. Luckily they're feeding me on the ward today so that's great. Don't think it's a blocked duct, I can't feel any lumps. I've got 2 vests in circulation so we can keep swapping between us so we both have something that smells of each other. I doubt I'll be allowed skin to skin as he has so many tubes and wires on him but I will ask. I'm kicking myself but I literally only have 1 little video of him, only pictures.

You would be very surprised what the NICU can manage despite tubes and all sorts! They’re v good so it’s worth asking. It is unfortunately the night feeds which tend to be best so do keep going overnight every couple of hours even though it’s torture. Get DH to sterilise your kit!

Keep chugging water, like a PP said NICU is always boiling as well so it’s important to keep drinking anyway never mind when you’re feeding. Don’t worry too much about over supply at the moment, they can freeze it or worst case you may be able to donate it. I know it’s a bit crap to have to deal with it once baby is well again but you’ll soon readjust. Hope it won’t be too long for you

OP when my baby was in the NICU I demanded to be with him - I held my baby and breastfed while he was pumped antibiotics. I just didn't like the idea of him being there alone. You must be allowed to go to your baby and hold him whenever you want to and feed. A newborn must feed every 1-2 hours and the only way to increase your milk supply is to feed him.There's no breast pump that is as efficient as your baby's mouth.

I read fine thing about putting a baby's sock over the bottle so you can't see what's coming out. It stops you watching and stressing and is supposed to help. Not sure if it does but can't help to try.
Lots of love and strength to you and baby. X

Anessia if OPs baby is very poorly and has been made to sleep he likely is on a ventilator and being fed via a NG tube. Hence the need to express milk. Not every poorly baby can be held.

Thanks for all the lovely messages, the last pump was a bit more successful (I'd eaten a hot lunch!) so that's giving me some hope. Set alarms now to pump every 3 hours, and even tho we're sleeping away from the ward I can go in overnight and keep pumping to get the good overnight milk. Yes unfortunately no chance of being able to feed him he's in a ventilator, tubes everywhere. Will ask about a hold tho. And I'm keeping on top of the water!

No evidence that fenugreek helps, it's just as likely to harm supply for some women, please just keep pumping

I was told by midwifes and the breastfeeding team to try fenugreek so it can't hurt to try.

But what I'm saying is that there is just as much evidence that it can harm supply as help it

SO it really really could hurt.

Oh good I’m glad you got some out! Sending you the biggest load of strength and support for tonight, hope you manage to fill bottles and bottles

I found porridge oats really good for boosting supply. If you don't like the consistency porridge you could always ask someone to mix some with yogurt and fruit and bring it in for you.