Pumping hell :( please help me!

I just gave birth two days ago. Baby is in the NICU. I am home. Gave birth at 31 weeks 6 days.
They want me to pump.
I am trying. Getting a few drops.
I am in so much pain I am in hysterics. My breasts are hard as a rock and huge.
The left side is letting out more than the right and it's very little anyway. The right is almost nothing.
They hurt so much I want to cry. But my little boy needs this.
What do I do?? Please help me

Re: Pumping hell :( please help me!

I know it's easier said then done but done stress yourself more! You will not let down if you are tense. The fact that your breasts are rock hard is a good thing - you are producing milk!

Since you are in pain, out some warm towels on your breasts. Drink some tea, put on some music, try your best to relax. I had best luck starting off the pump in gentle the "fluttering" mode. When you babe is nursing you will notice that they do the same. It's only a tickle and it's to stimulate the nipples. Once you let down, I switch to the strongerore suctioning mode z. Again, you will notice your baby does the same. You may have to do the fluttering ode several times. Sometimes letdown is faster and sometimes needsore coaxing x

- think about your baby, wtch videos and pictures
Of him, YouTube babies crying, imagine what he smells like, feels like etc. it really helps! Once I went back to work and had to pump I would watch videos of my daughter and it helped with letdown

- pump frequently. Around the clock. I know it seems hard but right now is the most important to determine sup0ply and newborns nurse frequently so mimic it . I would pump while watching tv. No biggie.

Good luck!!! Please don't get discouraged!

On my phone, major typos!!

Message edited 7/12/2014 8:00:17 PM.

Re: Pumping hell :( please help me!

Just try to be Calm if possible. I noticed when I was stressed I pumped less. I def agree with warm soaks and massage the breasts. Make sure shields fit well also! Good luck and congrats!

Re: Pumping hell :( please help me!

My dd was born at 32 weeks. I really wouldn't have been able to do it without the help of the NICU lactation consultant, so my suggestion is to see her. The woman who helped me watched me pump and helped me figure out how to do it and what I could be doing better. You do have to try to pump frequently like every 2-3 hours. The hospital also said we should get a hospital grade pump, so we rented one. I did it for the first 2 months also adding in some formula and then transitioned her fully to formula. I know its a very stressful and emotional time. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. I hope he is able to come home soon.

Pumping hell :( please help me!

I had my DS at 34 weeks. I started pumping the next day and didn't really get much milk those first few days. I agree with the PP on the hospital grade pump- I was able to exclusively pump for DS because of it (13 months) You do have to religiously pump every 2-3 hours, I did it throughout the night as well. It's very difficult in the beginning especially dealing with a preemie in the NICU, but it will get easier

your DS comes home soon!!

Re: Pumping hell :( please help me!

My DS was born at 34 weeks and spent 6 weeks in the NICU. I will never forget being in the hospital and my SIL giving me a small bottle and telling me to pump. I only got a few drops that day. I continued to pump every 3 hours when I got home for the next few days. I rented the hospital grade pump and loved it. I eventually was able to pump enough milk that I was able to save some. I pumped when I went to visit him at the NICU and in the pumping room at the hospital. It was so hard to come home without my DS and to go visit him everyday at the NICU. My DS had surgery at 2 weeks and had 4 more surgeries after. He is now a thriving 2 year old. I know how you feel. Try not to stress and know this tough time will pass. Good Luck!

Pumping hell :( please help me!

I saw the lactation consultant while at the hospital. She of course got me started. And she even got more outbid my left side than right. Once she left and I was on my own I either got one drop from each side. Or now I am getting more from my left and only a drop from my right.
The pain is horrible. I feel like I can't even lift up my arms.
I understand about the stress. Not easy. My baby is in NICU, my five year old needs attention and my husband is not home.
:(
So do I out a warm compress between pumping? Right before?
I am pumping every three hours.

Re: Pumping hell :( please help me!

What kind of pump do you have?
Although it sounds like you are producing milk since your breasts are hard, I would suggest temporarily renting the pump from the hospital vs the ones you use at home...they have stronger suction.
With that being said, try to go through the flutter phase two or three times (the initial phase that does quick short pumps) that will help the milk flow better initially.

You have to pump every three hours....by the end of day 2, you will see a drastic difference in supply.

Drink tons of water and just when you think you're going to float away, drink another glass....makes a world of difference.

Eat old school oatmeal....not the instant kind. The good old I have no time to make this but do....oatmeal.

Warm compresses help when your breasts are hard. Either wet two diapers with the warmest water you can stand, and let them sit over your breasts for a few minutes.....nothing says glam like two diapers on your boobs! You can also try taking a hot shower before you pump, but who has time for 8 showers a day?

Massage your breasts toward your nipple a few minutes before and when your first start pumping.

The best thing to do is to pump with the baby. Even if you can't hold the baby, just sitting next to the baby or at minimal, looking at pictures of the baby will help with your milk production. Just being in a nicu with baby noises/ cries etc will help make your milk flow.

Stress will definitely negatively impact your production. With a baby in NICU I'm sure life is just crazy.

Hang in their momma. You have done your part to make your beautiful baby. Technology and the love you both have as parents will get your baby through this challenging time. Prayers for your family.

Message edited 7/12/2014 8:54:11 PM.

Re: Pumping hell :( please help me!

Do the warm compresses right before pumping and maybe even when you first start pumping. Start the pump on the lowest setting, and gradually increase after a few minutes. Try to pump at least 20 minutes right now. When possible, try to take a warm shower, massage any hard spots, and then pump right after.

You can also try distracting yourself while you pump. If someone is there to help or your other LO is sleeping, go on the computer, read a book, listen to music, try to have something else to focus on.

You are doing a great thing for your baby, stay strong

Pumping hell :( please help me!

Ps in the beginning I had to pump forever to get milk...about a half an hour. I was able to cut down on the time as my milk came in, but that helped with production in the beginning. I bought a pump bra on amazon and a battery pack so I was able to walk around the house and pump....with a five year...I can only imagine that sitting still for a half an hour while holding bottles to your chest is not an option.

Pumping hell :( please help me!

Thank you everyone. I keep reading these responses over and over.
I definitely have not drank enough water today. Maybe one glass if I'm lucky. Bad. I know. Just so distracted right now. and obviously very stressed and emotional.
With regards to the massaging, I can't even fathom touching my breasts. I am walking hunched over bc the tank top against them hurts.
I am going to take any all suggestions. Thank you.

Pumping hell :( please help me!

I found when I was very engorged taking a hot shower then pumping helped. In the beginning I was able to pump longer when I put lanolin on my nipples first. Try to relax while pumping- It really helps with the let down. If you are still struggling call the LC for support.

Re: Pumping hell :( please help me!

Yes drink a lot. I know it sounds crazy but I drank a lot of iced tea and a ton of water. It helps.

Re: Pumping hell :( please help me!

I agree with the other suggestions. Just one thing to add - get yourself a few hands free bras - it's easier to distract yourself when you can use your hands for something else. Also, the pain got a lot less for me when I used a different size funnel.

Pumping hell :( please help me!

The first few days/weeks of pumping are so so hard between the pain and stress of having a newborn. Try to stay as relaxed as possible, definitely use warm compresses - lansinoh makes compresses that you microwave and they fit around the flanges (funnel). Try gentle massage since it hurts and definitely look into a hospital grade pump (such as the Medela Symphony) if you haven't already. It makes a world of difference.

Get a handsfree pumping bra if you don't have one already. That way you can pump both breasts and have your hands available for other things.

Get lanolin on your nipples - lube up the flanges with it too. Coconut or olive oil works as well.

ETA: It is also completely normal to have a side that doesn't produce as much as the other. My righty produces half of what my lefty makes.

Message edited 7/12/2014 11:35:52 PM.

Pumping hell :( please help me!

Thank you so much everyone. I really do appreciate the help and support.
I took a shower. Attempted to massage my breasts, it hurt to just wash them. And then pumped. The left side gave me little. But the right is still nothing. It's there. It looks like little droplets of condensation on my nipples. Just nothing else comes out.

Re: Pumping hell :( please help me!

Along with what everybody else said...get yourself some nipple shells (the hospital may even have a set they can give you). It is hard plastic things to go over your nipples so they don't touch the nursing pad or bra. In the beginning, mine hurt so bad they couldn't have anything touching them at all! The warm compresses right before you pump. Definately lube up your nipples and inside the plastic flange before you start pumping. Also, if you're using the flanges that come with the pump, they may be too small (this has nothing to do with the size of your breasts, but more with the size of your areola). Make sure it is able to fit completely into the opening of the flange, or you will keep getting sores. Keep asking the lactation consultant at the hospital for help...even have her measure your nipples and compare to the size on the flange that you're using. BRU sells bigger ones, as does Target. Get yourself a hands-free nursing bra and use it to pump when your 5 year old is around. It sort of gives you privacy, and will allow you to still do stuff with her. I used to pump while I read to my older DD, while wearing the hands free bra. She got used to it, and sort of looked forward to it, sort of like she was getting attention, and was helping with the baby as well.

Re: Pumping hell :( please help me!

Drinking more water will definitely help you. I usually just filled a few travel water bottles in the am and just knew I had to finish them....you can even get those large sport Poland spring bottles and just commit to at least 4 -5
of those a day....

It is TOTALLY normal for you to be struggling at this point.....those girls were not supposed to be pumping out milk for a few more weeks....now they are just catching up. In the beginning, you will mostly only get colostrum and that is what is most important for your baby. In the first few days, they are not supposed to eat all that much any way.

As for the pain, oh do I know the pain. Plus I had mastitis twice....I know the pain sucks but Breath through the pain and massage away. Do you have a heating pad? That had helped me more, but I resorted to the hot water diapers more because I was able to be mobile vs stuck to an outlet. The heat/warm showers help a lot when you are engorged. Just try to pump and massage through it. Soon the drops will turn into flow.....it may be a few days until your body catches up. Hang in their.

Lisa Kennedy was an awesome lactation nurse
at good Sam....not sure what hospital you were in. If it was GS.....request her ASAP. She really helped me out in the beginning,

Re: Pumping hell :( please help me!

Sounds to me like you could use a LC most insurance companies will cover a few visits. They will come to you and help you. I called one and she showed up the same day. They can also help diagnose problems and treatment.

The beginning is tough, but it sounds like you are having a particularly rough time.

Re: Pumping hell :( please help me!

Try filling a zip lock bag with warm-hot water (as much as you can tolerate) and put it on your breast 10 minutes or so before you are going to pump. If there is a spot that is most hard try the best you can to massage it. It will hurt but if you can get the milk to come out you will feel so much better.
Feel better

Re: Pumping hell :( please help me!

I can feel how stressed out you are from your posts. I think that you need to meet with the LC again. If you don't like the one from the hospital, get a referral for another one.

If you need someone to talk this through with, I recommend contacting someone from LLL. I spoke with a woman (Kathy) when my DD was small because she wasn't gaining due to back to back sickness (colds). She was very helpful and reassuring.

Here is the link to LLL. La Leche League Link

GL

Re: Pumping hell :( please help me!

will the hospital let you use their pumps? they are so much more efficient than the ones we buy. good luck.

Re: Pumping hell :( please help me!

Re: Pumping hell :( please help me!

Re: Pumping hell :( please help me!

i know you said you're in pain, but can you try hand expressing at all to relieve the fullness before or after pumping? i find when i'm really engorged, it's hard to get the pump to work for me as well as baby would.

also, use hand massage before and during pumping. the instructional videos on this site are super helpful
http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html