Breastfeeding and baby in NICU ??

Hi ladies. My sister had her baby on Wednesday at only 33 weeks. Baby is going great but will end up staying in the NICU for another week. While my sister is at home she wants to pump. Can anyone give me a quick checklist of what she needs for pumping and running back and forth to the hospital.
I am running to the store today to buy the pump for her and need to know what other "accessories", etc I may also need to buy.
Thanks so much.

Re: Breastfeeding and baby in NICU ??

pump
extra breast shields and pump valves
collection containers
freezer storage bags if all the pumped milk doesnt go to babies (dont know the protocol)
cooler for transport

medela makes a bf accessories box


can she rent a medical grade pump from hospital??


so great that the baby is doing so well!


eta: hands free pump/bra. a lot of people cut slits in old sports bras.

Message edited 9/24/2011 10:57:28 AM.

Re: Breastfeeding and baby in NICU ??

The pump, lanish (spell) cream, a nursing tank or 2 if she doesn't have already, the tubing and sheild (the hospital may have given her this).

The NICU should give her bottles to pump into so that she can bring the milk to the hosp.

I left a boppy pillow at the hosp so I didn't have to lug it back and forth.

I pumped every 3 hours around the clock when they were in the NICU.

That is all I can think of right now! Congrats to you and your sister :)

Re: Breastfeeding and baby in NICU ??

thanks ladies. She was given the 2 doses of the steriod shots to help the lungs and he is breathing all on his own, thankfully they got those in before Baby H decided it was time.
she is coming home tomorrow so I am not sure what, if anything, the hospital will provide her with.
I want her to have everything she needs at home so she does not have to stress about it.

Message edited 9/24/2011 11:02:04 AM.

Re: Breastfeeding and baby in NICU ??

my babies are in the nicu now. they were born 2 weeks ago at 30 w.
I have found having the hospital pump at home to be so valuable. it functions much better then the ones you can get in the store. it is also designed to be used around the clock with no baby. I rented it for the first month.

the nicu should give her bottles and pump kits to keep at home and at the nicu.. I use a ton of ice packs and a cooler bag to bring milk to the hospital.
she will need breast shields and cream. and a good supportive nursing bra. I was using the tanks and got engorged. the nicu lactation specialist insisted I get good bras and it really made a difference. last week i was in so much pain and now im ok.

I wish her the best. it is a whirl wind at first but it gets easier day by day.