Introduction post

[jarenj]

Hello! My daughter is 12 weeks old and I have been pumping with a Medela Lactina since she was an hour old. She was born at 32 weeks (4lbs 1 oz)  so I was never able to breastfeed her right away. She had a relatively short NICU stay, 15 days. The hospital she was at was not breasfeeding friendly, neither was her pediatrician. I was not allowed to

Comments

[3or4monsters]

That is a great output!

I wonder if she is having a similar issue as mine did. My twin daughters were not born that early (37 weeks), but they were 4lb10oz and 5lb8oz at birth at had a lot of difficulty getting a strong enough latch (tiny head/mouth, huge breast/nipple). The nipple shield actually made it worse. My bigger girl started latching well around 6 weeks, but my littler girl didn't really develop a good latch until she was almost 12 weeks old. She would also fall asleep while feeding at either breast or bottle and has to be coaxed to eat... she's still only in the 5% for growth. :/

One pediatrician suggested giving her a binky/pacifier (I know some people think they create nipple confusion) and playing "tug of war" with it to help strengthen her sucking muscles. I don't know if that helped, but because she would suck on a binky when not hungry but wouldn't suck on a nipple unless hungry, that it was a way to exercise those muscles. Maybe she would have latched at that time anyways.

[mygypsytreasure]

I pumped for 13 months. It's a big commitment, but you can do it! When it's the middle of the night and you feel like the only one awake in the whole world, remember that there are other pump moms out there doing the same thing you are.

[dawnfire99]

That is really good output I never managed that good the whole time I pumped. Something I didn't find out until too late so if no one has told you yet make sure you keep up the round the clock pumping even if you are making more than she needs at least until your supply is set, minimum of six weeks. *s* Good luck I hope you make it to that year mark!