I just feel its the only thing I can do for her right now. She is over an hour away in hospital so I can't hold her unless her cares are due. I've been looking at pictures of her non stop and I have some things of hers eg clothing beanies and I try and have them around when I express.
As for the motilium, can you take that whilst on high amounts of blood pressure medications? And I have a medela symphony pump and the lactina set which includes the hand pump. I've also got the Philips Avent Isis Uno which seems to get more milk out than the Medela.
I'll try pumping even more overnight. I'll try anything. I don't want to lose my supply. I want to breastfeed when I get her home eventually.
firstly you are doing an awesome job, i have been through the NICU journey, it aint easy
my son was a 30wkr and has just turned 1 and is still breastfed but i, like you suffered supply issues, i started using motillium when L was about 4w as i too was getting lots the first few weeks then no matter how much i pumped i was getting less and less. (im unsure if you can take it with other meds tho check with your GP?)
the lactation cookies are good (eating the dough raw actually works better then cooked cookies, depends if you can stomach it)
have you tried taking blessed thistle and fenugreek capsules from the health food store? 3x fenugreek 3x a day and 3x BT 3x a day? it will make you smell like maple syrup lol
wishing you all the best for you and your LO's journey.
i know how hard it is being apart from your baby, its like a piece of your heart is missing
i hope its all smooth sailing for you, we have a few scary things (little bumps in the road) but L is now doing well, hes a little behind, even for his corrected age, but hes an absolute joy and his sisters adore him
Have you tried letting her have a little lick or suckle at the Breast during a cuddle.
From 32 weeks both my 28 and 25 weekers latched on...only for a very short time but they did suckle?
Speak to your nurse about if you can have a cuddle around feed time, if possible arrange for the LC to be there to help (Sandy was wonderful for me) If bub does not suck it is ok it is still early but even expressing a little and letting her have a lick can do wonders for your supply. While she is still laying near your breast get them to do the tube feed.
The closeness that both of you urgent is so beneficial, you may have to push a little, some nurses really encourage it, others are a bit more reluctant. The LC's are your best advocate.
I had a terrible supply with the pump, both bubs needed donated milk but once they could suckle things picked up and I BF for 7 months. Domperidone (motilium) did help my supply, again ask the nurse or LC and they can get the doctor to write a prescription which you can pick up from the hospital pharmacy.
Lyns - the motilium can sometimes increase blood pressure (it's used to treat the low blood pressure that is a side effect of Parkinson's medicines), but it works in a very specific way, so it depends on the mechanism of your other medicines and your high blood pressure. Maxalon is another medication that can increase milk production - though it is older and used less than motilium.
If your Dr says "no" then have a talk to Rodney Whyte at Monash Medical Centre, who is an expert on medicines and obstetrics/breastfeeding. His phone number is (03) 9594 2361.
Can you hand express out the last bit after expressing - even if you don't keep it, everything you get out is sending a signal to "make more".
Hunni you are doing a FANTASTIC job! When my boys were admitted to ICU at 7 weeks old my supply dropped dramatically, J was on CPAP so i had no choice but to pump as his NGT had obviously been put in, L was on a ventilator, intubated with a NGT so no chance of feeding there either.
I went from 200ml a pump to a measly 60ml no matter how much I expressed. I started taking motillium and noticed a little change, im still having supply issues and they are now 8 months old nearly just we have to mix feed which breaks my heart.
You are doing great though its a tough position to be in the added stress and lack of sleep dont help your supply but theres not much we can do is there. Just keep going the best you can, you are a great mummy to be doing this for her
Are you in contact with your local ABA group? They can arrange a hire pump for you. A really good one might make all the difference.
You're doing really, really well in very, very difficult circumstances. I'm sorry you're feeling really down about this - you brought your girl safely into the world and you continue to nourish and care for her the best way you can.
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but i, like you suffered supply issues, i started using motillium when L was about 4w as i too was getting lots the first few weeks then no matter how much i pumped i was getting less and less. (im unsure if you can take it with other meds tho check with your GP?)
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