Pumping Issues

March 14 at 4:12am

Well I'm up again. This may be TMI for the men but I'm gonna say it cuz I need suggestions. My milk has come in. I'm pumping every three hours for about an hour try to prevent engorgement. I don't want to necessarily encourage milk production, I just feel like I'm going to explode. My nurse said there are a lot of pumping mothers who have a hard time with the let down reflex. I cry thinking about it. How I wish I could nurse my baby. I feel so mechanical trying to use this stupid electric pump. They don't teach you in breast feeding basics how to solely pump for your baby because no mother should have to do this. What I think I hate most is that I can't really pump when I'm with her and so this takes me away from spending as much time with her as I would like. Anyway, if there are any ladies who can somehow relate or think of ways to help me "let down", I would really appreciate suggestions in a side message. I will still talk to the lactation consultant tomorrow for help. My midwife suggested that letting the hot water run over me in the shower may not be the best idea because my body will think it needs to produce even more milk and that is not the goal. I guess this also points out that we are not currently feeding Addison. I am able to put a few drops on her tongue when I am with her about every hour but they don't do it when I'm not there. It may sound bad that they aren't feeding her but she is still so young and it just isn't the main priority right now. I imagine next week is when they maybe would add a feeding tube but they are giving her IV fluids and she has a catheter to relieve her bladder. The doctors had been trying to press on her tummy to release the fluid but it wasn't working very well.

I would like to share another thing that is very personal and the only reason I am really sharing it is so that I have it on record because I am currently using this group also as a journal for myself. Because of the cooling cap, they have a heat lamp over Addison that has to be at its highest setting. they have little napkins over her arms and legs to keep them from getting too hot but some areas of her skin were looking dry to me. I know it is probably more of a cosmetic concern but it was sad for me to see her getting worse. They said that lotion would trap more heat in and wasn't a good solution. I started thinking about all my friends who are into essential oils and how they would probably just love to lather her all up. Then I remembered that I have something even better than oil.. Colostrum. The neonatal staff said I could try and so I gently put little drops on her dry areas, being careful not to rub them in too much because any movement can overstimulate her and possibly cause more seizures... yes, she is having seizures, but because they need her to not pull out all her tubes, you don't see them. They just show on her brain monitor. Anyway, it was finally something I could do to help! Her skin looks so much better now and I really look forward to applying more if need be.

There is a baby crying next door. I haven't had a neighbor until recently. o, s not helping me let down, it is making me upset because I haven't gotten to hear my baby cry. I think this is what I'm most afraid of for when I leave the hospital, just hearing babies cry. There are a lot of things I am afraid of.

Right now I'm going to give up on pumping cuz I have been trying for over an hour, and go see my baby. What else would you guys like to know in these posts. I am not going to share much about Addison's tests and conditions until things are more definitive but I would like to be able to post about something.

I hope every one else sleeps well, I look forward to reading your comments tomorrow.

 Emily.

16 likes

Cade Robertson: Can they not put it in the feeding tube for Addison?

Joedian Douglas-Hullinger: Have you tried a manual breast pump? It's a little harder but sometimes works better for the letdown.

Emily Beth Rusch: I haven't tried that but I will next time. Thanks

Tabitha Weiler Armstrong: I'll send you a message after I get Adam on the bus...

Shauna Baang: Emily just pump when you can, you can freeze it so you could have a good supply of it. But only do it when it's best for you. Addison's demand will help your body to produce what she needs when that time comes. Just pump enough to keep producing this way you can spend most of your time with Addison and not stress about the rest. I'm shocked that they haven't helped you more with this at the hospital. It seemed almost like a priority before I left the hospital with Vincent. (Knowing how to pump and teaching me how to store it and all)

This is just my opinion, and hope it helps

Rachael Bonitz Sanders: I have to close my eyes and relax and think about letting down and then it comes. And it sounds strange but taking deep breaths helps me too. When I pump, I let down quicker if I pump both sides at the same time. Milk is all about supply and demand so if you don't want to encourage milk production, don't have the pump on for an hour. I would Give it 15 minutes, about a typical newborn feeding time. If you let down, just drain an ounce or two, the typical amount a newborn takes.

Emily Rusch: So smart about the colostrum. It's the small victories.

Sarah Latchaw: I pumped for a year because I was working and at first to get your milk to let down nothing helped. My mom finally suggested smelling a blanket or the clothes that Fiona slept in the night before. There are pheromones that help you let down. I told the lactation specialist about it with Jackson and she said she never had heard of that but of course it would work. Anyway might be worth a try to relieve some of that milk. I didn't see clothes on her but maybe there is a sheet or something they can give you. Hope that helps.

Amber Croxall: If you would like to dry up your milk, and I am not sure that is what you want, or even produce less, I would recommend cool cabbage leaves against your breasts, held in place by your bra.

Heather Farhy: Emily, you should be able to pump at the bedside with Addison. There are pumps available in the NICU to use. Just bring down your attachments and ask one of the nurses to borrow a pump

Nadya John: It always amazes and humbles me how our bodies and the Spirit work together sometimes. That is exactly what's going on here. It's amazing that you were able to use your colostrum to nurture Addison's skin! What a beautiful blessing!

Joedian Douglas-Hullinger: I did it for Emily's breakouts when people kept touching her face. Cleared it right up.

Jennifer Wallace Wells: I solely pump for my babies and I take a washcloth and run it under some warm water and lay it on me or I take a shower before I pump and it helps bring the milk down

Jessica Jones Marsaw: Just two quick things- not feeding babies in the NICU is normal, they are kept hydrated with their IVs. Seems crazy, I know. And I'm sure the lactation consultant will have some advice for you but I would pump every three hours for no longer than 20 min (if you're using a dual pump). The more longer you pump the more milk your body will produce. Regardless, you won't get much milk in the beginning. I know time with Addison is a priority for you, don't let anything get in the way of it.

Stephanie Gray Albritton: Do not pump for more than 20 minutes at a time!! It can damage beast tissue! Go to kellymom.com they have fantastic EP (exclusive pumping) advice. Kellymom also has a fb page for breastfeeding support. You can ask questions and get answers from people who have been through the same thing! It feels good to be part of a community of people who know and understand what you are feeling, and the admins are board certified lactation consultants.

Jessica Snider: Have you tried massaging your breasts? Lightly pressing on either side of one breast and rubbing your hands circularly can help...it will also stimulate production of milk though...but if it also helps the let down that should at least give you some relief. It helped me.

Deborah Paulukaitis: If you really don't want to 'encourage milk production' then don't pump if you can help it. When I had to stop nursing abruptly, my midwives told me to resist all I could and use cold compresses and bear through the engorgement as much as possible. It helped a lot to do that. The first 72 hours were the hardest and it gradually got better after that. I even took benadryl and ibuprofen and those things helped a LOT. No stimulation AT ALL was the best remedy for me....(((hugs)))

Jana Waisath Houghtelling: Thinking about all of you constantly! Lots of prayers for each one of you. Hugs from Alaska!

Rachael Robles: You are awesome Emily. You're the best mommy already. Jason and I are praying for you.

Rebecca Lyn Hyde: Maybe this has been said and I missed it....but have you tried heat? Hot showers... letting the water beat on your breasts? Or hot packs?