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

@bumpysleighridejack My DS was in hospital for 8 weeks after he was born, between PICU, HDU and the ward. It is really REALLY shit, so try not to put too much pressure on yourself.

Do you have access to midwife support? The hospital where we were had specialist midwives who would come and support with breastfeeding / expressing. Talk to the nurses about what they can do, as they should be able to access services for you or at least give you some advice.

I ended up building up a huge stockpile of frozen expresses milk as my DS had to have special formula as well to try to help him put on weight.

Wishing you and you DS all the very best

Thank you again everyone you're all helping so much to give me strength as well as advice. Things are getting better! Had some help from a nurse on the ward who was the breastfeeding link support. Also drinking lots of water and the hot meals they're feeding me are really helping. I've set regular alarms on my phone to pump and feel like I'm getting a routine a going. Hoping I'm going to get some good night time milk but they still have loads to give LO which is great cos he's actually taking it well so I feel good to know I'm helping! Thanks!

Lots of good advice above. I found sitting by DD's cot while I pumped really beneficial. Most Mums used a separate pumping room which had changing room like cubicles; I had no idea how they made that work!

Also, the breastfeeding supportive midwife gave me a table to complete to log when I was pumping and how much I got each time/per day. Despite struggling the numbers did go up day by day!

Good luck. It's a journey, but you'll get there x

Porridge oats? Flapjacks, surely I think I ate my body weight in flapjacks when DS was in. Thank god for my Irish MIL. I said flapjacks and boom, 7 tonnes appeared 😂

drink isotonic sports drink they help you stay hydrated

Your update sounds really positive, you're clearly doing an amazing job!

Stress was the biggest factor for me (I actually got the most out of expressing whilst watching Neighbours at lunchtime and zoning out from the expressing!) along with fluid and food intake. I was lucky to be able to express alongside feeding but in those early weeks I was probably drinking 4-5 litres a day.

Best of luck with your LO

I can do flapjacks no bother!! Will dispatch SH to find some in the morning! And sports drinks, good plan. Yeah I'm expressing on the ward next to him I think it does help. Watching him make sucky lip faces in his sleep seems to be helping trigger let down?! Thanks!

No advice to give but just wanted to wish you all the strength in the world! It absolutely sucks having a baby in hospital! I hope you all get to go home soon

Ohhhh that face they make. So gorgeous. You’re doing amazing mama.

So sorry your little one is poorly. You are doing an amazing job. Get help from the ward, they will have specialist nurses who can help. Pump as often as you can (every 2-3 hours) and check out power pumping. Middle of the night often makes more unfortunately. Also the kellymom website is very good for all things breastfeeding and pumping.

I've been where you are, op it's crap. I think it's a matter of just keeping going, I pumped every 3 hours but it still took 4-5 days before I was anywhere near what DD needed. Pumping felt so miserable at the time (especially in the middle of the night) but in hindsight I'm really glad I did it, I've been able to breastfeed since discharge. Does your hospital allow you to express at baby's bedside? That really helped me. Good luck, it feels like eternity when you're going through it but it's the best feeling when you're discharged and can move on with your lives!