What are ways to increase milk supply? Been pumping for my little baby in the nicu but I feel as my supply is decreasing…

@domsmama96, thank you!!! ❤️❤️

@oahmgmpma, thank you so much!

@lionesssmommyy, my son was in the nicu for six months and I breastfeed for almost two years. One way I kept my supply was to drink lots and lots of whole milk, I would drink six to seven cups a day. Also took some pills but that was later on called fenugreek pills. Good luck and prayer for you baby to grow big, healthy and strong!

Pump mama! U need to be consistent , every 2 -3 hours just as often as you'd be nursing if baby was with you.

@lionesssmommyy mine was fed with a tube and gavaged as well.

33 weeks for me. I hope he's doing well and growing. Be prepared for a long stay. We were only there for 3 weeks. (Seemed like an eternity while in it.)

It'll be hard, but take care of yourself. That's the best thing you can do right now. Thank goodness for the doctors, nurses, and the technology they have now!

While we were in the NICU, a baby born at 24 weeks came in, he was a super tiny micro-preemie. Of course we didn't get any full details, but when we would ask, they would tell us he was doing well and growing. (How true that is we'll never know) but I hope the baby was doing well.

Photo is of mine at 2 days old. I had to ask when a good time to hold her was.

I find it hard that they won't at least let you put your hand in, but I don't know how it works with micro-preemies.

I can't imagine what you're going through.

There's a group here for NICU mom's. I believe there's a few that may have had micro-preemies.

@eryka616, ok so do you think if I haven't been consistent on the pumping but if I start, my milk can start increasing or once it's gone is it gone for good?

@rola, awesome!!❤️ thank you so much!

@mermaidmeshy, @mermaidmeshy, my baby is getting fed thru a feeding tube straight to his tummy... he's also on a ventilator. He's 10 days old and I had him at only 23 weeks 5 days. That's why it's not possible for me to touch him let alone hold him 😓

I already have a hospital grade pump that's what I use at home.

Thankfully, the few nurses he has had have been amazing. At first.. my husband was the one asking all the questions because I was just out of it the first few days. But now without even asking, every day we get a full report of everything upon arrival. They're so so helpful.

Thank you so much for your time!❤️ I really really appreciate it.

Yes definitely ask if you can touch him when they take him out, but also pumping every 2 hours during the day and every 4 at night helped bring my supply up. Just drink plenty of water and don't skip meals. No special food or pill will increase your supply so I wouldn't bother with all the extra junk.

@lionesssmommyy well also oatmeal is great , lentils , and lots of greens

Ask the NICU nurses when they "bother" him for feedings and diapper changes.

Once we figured out the 3 hour intervals; the times they would take out our daughter to weigh, change diaper, feed; we would go visit and get some skin to skin.

However ours wasn't on oxygen, I don't know if yours is. There was also 2 - 3 days where she was under light therapy for jaundice, but we got at least 20 minutes (10 each) per shift during that.

Otherwise, keep pumping. See if your insurance will cover rental of the hospital grade pumps.

I won't even go there on the "try to reduce stress" part because it's stressful as fuck!

I'm sorry you guys are in the NICU, I'd never wish it on anyone, not even my worst enemy. But if there's any advice I could give, it's to get to know the nurses. They've probably done this forever. Learn from them, pick their brains, ask lots of questions. But also be nice. I had a moment, but I didn't take it out on them, it wasn't their fault.

Also talk to your OB about PPD and PTSD. You have a higher risk of getting it due to being in the NICU.

I understand, be strong I can't imagine what you're going through. 💖💖💖💖💖xoxo

@rola, thank you❤️ I wish I could do the first one but I can't touch my baby yet :( I'll try the other ones tho. Thank you ❤️

@avahcruz, @alekismyworld, thank you mommies❤️ it's been hard and also trying to keep up with the schedule because I'm almost always in the nicu.. but imma look into all those things. Especially since they told me his weight increase is due to him drinking my milk.. I wanna give him all he can take lol

Stress is a big factor, it's hard with your situation but once I would start stressing my milk decreased dramatically. But you can try Oatmeal, lots of water, there is pills to increase milk supply. Just eat regular meals, add extra 300-500 calories and hopefully it works.

Placing baby often on breast even when there is none , warm teas, stimulation

I'm sorry momma :( it definitely is stress that contributes to decrease in supply...all you can do is take care of yourself...stay hydrated. Only ways to increase is through more frequent pumping/nursing.