Establishing breastfeeing when your baby is in NICU/SCN.

[Inanna]

Daintree Dreaming: I am sorry that you are facing this again - but I am glad you have time to educate yourself and access the support you need.

My last child was born severely prem at 27+5 weeks. She was 815grams and was in hospital for 14 weeks. So, I know some of how hard it is - but how possible it is also to establish breastfeeding...

So, most tertiary hospitals if not all will be quite strident that breast milk is essential for babies in NICU. Many women I encountered found them to be too aggressive in their approach and dedication to breast is best - I personally found it comforting!

I had a c/section and was in intensive care post operatively & expressing was not at all important right then. I first expressed 24 hours post birth & for the next few days got about 2 mls of colostrum. It was devastating for me as I wasn't able to see my baby as I was too ill so all I had was this photo of a pathetic tiny dot with tubes all over her. Looking at that photo was supposed to make me produce more milk - it only served to dissolve me to tears! I pushed on though and I got a friend to come with some of her expressed milk which I put into specimen containers with my name on them! Then with the pressure off my milk came in. It all worked after that. I expressed every 2 hours for 24 hours for the next 14 weeks.

I had no skin to skin contact for 10 days post birth - anbd then it was not frequent as Imogen was so fragile. I was also so afraid she would catch something from me and I would "kill" her...

YOU are in a better position. I would advise you to get a lactation consultant that you gel with.
Express from about 34 weeks and freeze every golden drop
hold your baby whenever possible.
organise care for your other child so you canb be with your new baby as much as possible. It is helpful to establishing supply by doing this.

Know that you are going to get through this. Know that you have many of us here to support you.

Know that you will be scared at times. This is so normal. I spent my life for thsoe 14 weeks in a perpetual state of terror alternating with sheer joy.

It is so hard. But you will get through this and so will she. Statistically girls are stronger and have better mortality rates. Take that comfort and trust her and you.

Sending you all of my love and support honey. If you need any other info please let me know...