Unable to breastfeed in hospital

[thisfridayfeeling]

I've been admitted to hospital overnight and I'm really worried about my milk supply.

I've have been away from my 6 month old since about 3am. She is EBF. I think her last feed was about 2am but hard to tell because we co sleep and I don't clock watch.

My boobs are hurting so bad and they've literally exploded all over me. I'm terrified how this is going to affect my supply. I'm really not ready to give up breastfeeding.

Then there's the issue of how she'll be fed! Luckily I pumped some milk a while back to freeze but that won't last her a day so it looks like formula is out only option.

I've asked for a breast pump or if my daughter could come but apparently maternity is busy and on shift changeover and the ward I'm on isn't appropriate for children - they're doing COVID tests etc. I'm really not sure what to do!

Is this the end of my breastfeeding journey?! 😭

How long are you likely to be in hospital for?
I’d be insisting on a pump somehow, whether it’s brought to you from home or provided by the hospital, you can’t just stop, you’re at risk for mastitis.

At 6 months your supply will be really robust, don't worry. I was away overnight from my EBF 3 month old without a supply issue. But do kick up a fuss and get that pump or you'll get mastitis and end up sicker than you started.

You need to advocate for yourself here.

Point out if they deny you a pump / your baby you’ll likely get mastitis.

Ask to speak to the hospitals infant feeding coordinator.

Escalate to the ward manager.

Google if your hospital is part of the baby friendly initiative and tell them denying you access to both goes against this.

It doesn’t need to be the end of your journey but you will need to fight for yourself a bit Im afraid

hope you get better / discharged soon x

To add insult to injury, I'm sat here wet through covered in my own milk and it's still just firing out everytime I move. My top is sopping wet. I just think...all that wasted milky! It's only a matter of time before it dries (hopefully because I'm really uncomfortable) and I start smelling like a block of cheese.

I didn't even think of mastitis!! Thank you! I will kick up a fuss. I was going to earlier when they said but I didn't know whether I was being unreasonable. We left the house in such a rush for A&E that I didn't even think about being breast pump etc.

I really really hope I get to go home today but they're not sure.

Sorry, rushed typing. *bringing a breast pump

There should be an infant feeding co-ordinator. My department would place you in a side room and allow your DP to be with you with baby. Tbh when ever we have had breastfeeding moms we’ve loved it as get occasional baby holding duties while mom gets washed/eats etc

Maternity should have pumps for you too. Ask to speak to ward sister

Also ask if the pharmacist could review your medications to ensure safe to breastfeed otherwise you will have to pump and dump

Cam someone bring a breast pump in for you? I doubt you'll get one there,or you might but by the time they get it organised it'll be too long.

Ask if they will borrow a breast pump from the paediatric wards.

I wouldn't be 'kicking up a fuss' surely you are capable of changing your top and asking someone to bring you breast pads and your pump. You're not a prisoner in hospital and are allowed to get up assuming you don't have a broken leg or something. It's not the hospital's responsibility to deal with this. Where I used to work, we didnt have a maternity ward or anything in that hospital so the patient would need to get what they needed brought in. Your supply will be fine. Your baby will be fine taking a bit of formula and if you want to continue breastfeeding then you need to take responsibility for that.

I guess the bigger issue is why have you been admitted to hospital? Will you be given any medications that are dangerous to pass on to your baby.

Have someone bring you a pump from home asap. Do a Google search on hand expression if the pressure is too great. Your supply should calm down but won't vanish overnight.

Can you hand express to relieve the pressure? At 6 months in your supply should be pretty robust so try not to worry - when you get home you could try a day in bed with baby, skin to skin and that should get you back on track. I hope you’re ok and back home soon.

In the short term, I would probably grab a cup/bowl and hand-express as much as you can to relieve discomfort. But there shouldn't just be breast pumps in maternity - they should have them in Paediatrics/special care baby unit and there should theoretically be one they can wheel to your bedside.

Don't worry about your supply, it would take weeks to properly dry up at this stage. And if your LO is hungry, she will eat.

@HalloHello

I wouldn't be 'kicking up a fuss' surely you are capable of changing your top and asking someone to bring you breast pads and your pump. You're not a prisoner in hospital and are allowed to get up assuming you don't have a broken leg or something. It's not the hospital's responsibility to deal with this. Where I used to work, we didnt have a maternity ward or anything in that hospital so the patient would need to get what they needed brought in. Your supply will be fine. Your baby will be fine taking a bit of formula and if you want to continue breastfeeding then you need to take responsibility for that.

This is unfair, if people haven’t been in hospital much before they often don’t know what is and isn’t allowed. Or how anything works. OP probably doesn’t have a spare top right now, though she could ask for a gown.

She is clearly unwell and is now worried about how her baby will be fed, have some compassion. She will likely need the help from hospital staff with the pumping, even if it’s her own pump. Putting milk in the fridge/freezer, washing and sterilising pump parts etc.

So OP yes it is right to kick up a fuss, don’t be rude obviously but make sure your voice is heard. Having access to a pump right now is important to your health.

If you don’t feel well enough to have the discussions your DP could phone the ward and discuss a plan with the nurse in charge.

Hope you don’t need to stay long OP x

If you can try to eat plenty too, if you can get someone to drop off the pump ask them to bring lots of snacks aswell.

Oh no I wasn't going to be rude at all and obviously don't expect them to pander to my every need just because I'm breastfeeding! I know there are precautions because of COVID and rules they have to follow. I have never been in hospital before apart from giving birth so I didn't know whether they were being unreasonable by not giving me much option - no pump, no visitors allowed etc. I've asked for a towel and a gown and if my partner could possibly just drop my pump off at reception. If not, I'll try hand expressing. I'm just happy for the reassurance that my supply won't be affected much. First time Mum worries and all that. Thank you.

Good luck op, there will be a breast pump somehwre and you need it right away, this is something you can be quite clear about. It won't occur to some staff (understandably) that mastitis is a big risk here so you'll need to make your own case. I'd say your supply will be just fine! It's just the mastitis.

How are you getting on op? Hopefully back at home with your baby.

@shouldistop I'm OK thank you for asking. I'm back at home now and glad the panic is over!