Not producing!

My twin girls were born on 4/20. I started pumping in the hospital since the girls are in the NICU. I didn't get anything out while I was there and they just told me that since the girls were premature that my body might take longer to realize whats going on and not to worry. I think the first time I got anything to come out it was 4/26. Over the next couple of days it seemed like I was getting a little more each day. But that only seemed to last about 3 days because the last 2 days I am hardly getting anything to come out at all. I know it's only been 11 days but I am concerned that something is wrong or maybe I am not doing something right. The info I've read says to pump 8 times a day at least and I do admit that I do not get that many into a day. Going back and forth to the NICU and taking care of myself and my family makes it hard to get more than 5 or 6 in a day. My sister says that it's stress related and that I should not worry, it will come and that maybe I should try NOT pumping every 2-3 hours. I am afraid that if I do that, I will lose any progress to getting a milk supply!

Can someone please tell me what I can do to assure my girls have breastmilk!?

 

It took my sister a full week before hers came in, and she went full term. I think it is different for everyone.
If you pump every two hours and then once or twice in the night it will get established and come in fine. Just try and relax and drink lots of water.
Mine has always come in with in 3 days after delivery so I dont know about that but I am currently take Reglan to help increase my supply because mine went through a growth spurt and I couldnt keep up...it really works, I am thinking about asking my ob to see if I can stay on it because I now have more then I need (which is a good thing).
Good luck to you! Way to go on bf-ing!!!!

 

How many min's are you pumping for? What kind of pump? What sized horns (things that go on your boobs) are you using? Massaging while pumping?

We can get this figured out!!!

 

QUOTE(excitedk @ May 1 2008, 02:27 PM) [snapback]750497[/snapback]
How many min's are you pumping for? What kind of pump? What sized horns (things that go on your boobs) are you using? Massaging while pumping?

We can get this figured out!!!



I am pumping between 15-30 minutes at a time. I'm using a hospital grade pump I am renting from the hospital. I don't know what size the horns are? I'm using the ones they gave me that go with the pump. Yup, massaging while pumping and even trying warm washcloths before and sometimes warm showers before. Does having a c-section have anything affect on your milk coming in? I'm grasping at straws trying to figure this whole thing out!

 

QUOTE(Lesley Anne @ May 1 2008, 01:34 PM) [snapback]750372[/snapback]
It took my sister a full week before hers came in, and she went full term. I think it is different for everyone.
If you pump every two hours and then once or twice in the night it will get established and come in fine. Just try and relax and drink lots of water.
Mine has always come in with in 3 days after delivery so I dont know about that but I am currently take Reglan to help increase my supply because mine went through a growth spurt and I couldnt keep up...it really works, I am thinking about asking my ob to see if I can stay on it because I now have more then I need (which is a good thing).
Good luck to you! Way to go on bf-ing!!!!



I drink so much water my DH thinks I am turning into a fish. I see my OB on the 8th, can he prescribe something to help with this or is Reglan something thats OTC?

 

exactly how much are you getting over 24hrs?

 

QUOTE(mom2betimes2 @ May 2 2008, 12:28 AM) [snapback]751577[/snapback]
I drink so much water my DH thinks I am turning into a fish. I see my OB on the 8th, can he prescribe something to help with this or is Reglan something thats OTC?

Reglan is a perscription med but it does work great! May you should try it!

 

First any milk is better than none so try try try to stop stressing.

Stress and lack of sleep IMO are the main reason we have issues early on. Tell us what your goals are - nurse exclusive? Nurse and bottle? How long? I think it will help us help you.

Try to pump as often as possible but at least 8-10 times a day I would say since that is how much they would be nursing. Based on your goals you will know how hard you need to work for the next few months to get there.

 

QUOTE(excitedk @ May 2 2008, 11:15 AM) [snapback]752000[/snapback]
exactly how much are you getting over 24hrs?



Yesterday I believe I totaled about 10ml for the entire day. They have increased the girls' feedings to 30ml every 3 hours, so I am not making enough for them to give even 1 of them 1 feeding. They are mixing it in with formula. I really do want them to get off the formula mix and just get the breastmilk, if I can get things moving!

 

QUOTE(greenthumbmama @ May 2 2008, 01:53 PM) [snapback]752299[/snapback]
First any milk is better than none so try try try to stop stressing.

Stress and lack of sleep IMO are the main reason we have issues early on. Tell us what your goals are - nurse exclusive? Nurse and bottle? How long? I think it will help us help you.

Try to pump as often as possible but at least 8-10 times a day I would say since that is how much they would be nursing. Based on your goals you will know how hard you need to work for the next few months to get there.



That is what my sister said, that I am stressed out and its causing slow production. And I do admit I am not getting much sleep right now due to worrying and poor pain management. I'm not sure what my goals are. I had not made up my mind about breast/bottle feeding yet and then the girls decided to come 5 weeks before we expected them! The neonatolgist talked to me about it and I decided that it would benefit my girls more to get the breastmilk. After they come home, I do think I would like to try actual breastfeeding instead of pumping.