Attempting to breastfeed- questions from a newbie!?

[lysistrata411]

Hi, our son just got released from the NICU today since he is a preemie. I have been pumping, though not with much success. We've had to travel for 2 weeks to the hospital over an hour away and I honestly haven't been good about pumping every 3 hours. However, I usually get about 1 to 1.5 ounces in all each time I pump. I breastfed for the first time tonight and have no idea how to gauge how much he ate.
1. How long do I put him on each breast?
2. Also, should I continue pumping? He seemed to stay longer on one breast than the other and one is now leaking.
3. Lastly, How do I know I am making enough milk to stop supplementing with bottles (something I have to do for now, anyways, since he still has special formula to help him gain weight)?
Thanks for any and all help!

 

[massiel248]

I use to do my kids 10-15 min per breast. if after you feed him its leaking then yes pump . most babies have a side they prefer. and since he is a preemie I would keep giving him the formula untill his ped says its ok to stop. also once t becomes a habit of you breastfeeding you body will naturally make what your baby needs.

 

[Mrs.Ploughe]

Ok, I'll start with the leaking. Buy a nursing bra and nursing pads. That way when you nurse him, you only have to pull out one side. When the other tit starts leaking, the nursing pad will catch it.

With my daughter, I let her stay at one breast for as long as she wants. I don't switch her sides until she stops eating. When she stops sucking, I burp her. Usually after burping she wants to eat a little more, and then I put her to the other breast. She never eats as much from the second side, so I start on that side first at the next feeding. It seems to work well.

I would keep pumping. The breast milk in the freezer will be a blessing later! You'll find that you'll get more milk the more you nurse your son, mainly because he stimulates your breasts WAY more than any pump could.

You know you're making enough milk when he is sated every feeding. If he eats heartily, then slows down, then finally stops with no interest at all in the nipple, then he's full and you've given him enough. Give him the formula until the doctor says to stop, but pump as much from your breast as you are feeding him of the formula. That way when you stop giving him the formula, your milk supply makes up for it with no shortage.

 

[Jillian ~*Cohen's mummy*~]

if he has enough wet diapers i'm sure he's fine. Also you CAN get a scale and weigh him before and after feed to see how much he's eating. Your baby can get more out of you than a pump. try to offer teh rbeast as much as you can or only if you can. if he'll latch by all means then just let him nurse. the more you let him nurse the more milk you will make. aslo, if you can help it, don't use bottles while you supplement, use a syringe. it will help with him latching and not developing a preference to the bottle.

Let him nurse on one breast for as long as he wants. if he sarts to get sleepy burp and offer the other. it's ok if he doesn't want the other. If you're worried about supply, pump in between nursing. also, don't offer a pacifier, nurse instead

 

[Ren]

1) I don't switch breasts during meal time, I let my baby eat until she stops (anywhere between 10-25 minutes depending on how hungry she is). Then during her next feeding I have her eat from my other breast.
2) I pump once in a while, if I have to go somewhere without the baby and my husband has to feed her.
3) I knew I was making enough milk b/c I would see a little in the corner of her mouth as she was eating (even 10-15 minutes into it).
She is now 6 months old, still breast feeding, gaining weight, and perfectly healthy and I have never had any problems producing enough milk.

 

[Judy]

If your preemie baby is home now you can continue to breast feed him. Your milk supply will come in more as the more you can pump. Usually the baby will suck for as long as he gets your milk. You need to be in close contact with his pediatrician and getting him weighed to see if he is gaining some weight. To put him on each breast about 15 to 20 minutes per breast is sufficient. If he still seems hungry and you know you still have more to feed him let him go at it. But always be prepared with the special formula to give him if it isn't enough. He will burp up anything he really doesn't need. An electric breast pump is the best to use and you can also freeze the breast milk to use in a day. Just make sure it is room temp. Baby's that are breast fed are much more healthy and gain much faster. But supplementing isn't a bad thing either and they will still gain. You aren't left empty handed when you have no milk. But you must pump every 3 or 4 hrs to make more milk supply come in. The less you do the less supply. You might need to go to use the formula altogether if you have many problems. Also ask your doctor for any help. It is hard to tell how much they have drank of breast milk but you have to assume mother nature supplied you enough. If baby is still fussy then I would try to produce more breast milk by pumping more often or going strictly onto the formula. Best of luck to you and enjoy your little guy.

 

[stacie]

He should be on each breast for about 15 min but will drain the first one and only "snack" on the second side right now since he is so young. Switch what side you offer first at each feeding. If one breast is still leaking after a feeding, go ahead and pump. By draining your breasts at each feeding you will stimulate your supply.

I highly suggest you work with a lactation consultant for the first couple weeks he is home. She will make the transition from hospital to home easier for both of you and will be able to answer all of your questions.

Congrats on the brave decision to breastfeed!