Trying to express milk for a very prem baby...Help!

[2tob3!]

My baby was born at 27 weeks gestation on thursday and is in NICU at the moment.

Since his birth i have been expressing with a pump 5 mins one side, 5 the other then repeating this. Yesterday i began getting a drop here and there but it seems to get all messed up around the bit you put the actual breast in or to trickle out from underneath.

Its frustrating and my nipples are tender too. Is it possible to use a nipple sheild in there too??

Apparently i'm doing everything fine, but i feel if i was then surely i'd have some milk to offer by now??

[Pinky McKay]

Hi 2tob3

Congratulations on your new bub, but what a shock for you.

You are doing well - that millk will come! it is very early days yet and as you have had an early arrrival it could take a few days longer for your hormones to catch up - depending on the birth. As you have been getting drops, this is encouraging - trust the hospital staff , they see lots of women expressing for premmies. I am wondering if you are being encouraged to hand express too - this won't hurt if you are shown properly and you could collect the very precious drops of colostrum in a syringe to be given to your baby - every tiny bit is wonderful and your baby wont need very large quantities when she is able to be given this liquid love!

I doubt that using a nipple shield in a pump would offer enough direct stimulation to your nipples to build up a good milk supply. I agree though, many pumps are awfully painful to use - one I absolutely recommend ( I have used these in postnatal wards in NZ some years ago) is the Whittlestone milker -it is now being produced in the US - it is being used in some hospitals here but is only available by hire - it can be sent anywhere in Australia by courier and is the very best pump to maintain a supply long term - as you will need to do with such a tiny baby and a long road ahead.

To enquire about this milker contact Margaret Callaghan ( shes a lactation consultant in private practice in Melbourne) -phone (03) 5678 1038 -if you live in melbourne, these pumps are available for hire at some pharmacies.

It may also be a good idea to ask your Drs about prescription meds to help establish/ increase your milk supply - these are available. Also, the Australian Breastfeeding Association have some good booklets that would be helpful to you.

Best wishes - hang in there,

Pinky

[2tob3!]

Thank you for the advice.

The milk is coming in slowly. I've had a couple of days of colostrum and now its coming through whiter.

I'm getting about 7 or 8 mls per expression which iam doing every 3 to four hours.

He is up to 1 ml per 2 hours so i'm pumping like mad!!