Tips for breastfeeding/pumping during your child's recovery

Helpful tips for pumping/breastfeeding

while your baby is in the hospital

You CAN continue to provide breastmilk for your baby. Hospitals prefer your milk over any other supplement (it is the standard of care for infant botulism babies).
 Pumping is challenging but everyday you will move closer to
 reuniting with your baby and resuming
your breastfeeding relationship.

~Get access to a pump ASAP- If your baby is unable to breastfeed, you'll need to pump in order to maintain your milk supply. A hospital grade-double electric pump is BEST.

 Alot of hospitals will provide a pump for you, ask your nurse.

Other sources for pump rentals include: WIC offices, some BabiesRus, DayOne Centers and other centers which specialize in pregnancy or newborn retail.

~Find a Private spot to pump-  Is there a private room nearby with a lockable door? Where do hospital employees pump (they might know a good/quiet spot)?
Making a "DO NOT ENTER" sign can help you avoid intruders.
Pumping near your baby can be difficult if only curtains divide the space AND
staff are frequently coming/going in order to care for your baby.

~Eat, drink and REST- This is probably the hardest to adhere to. It is hard to think of caring for yourself when you're focused so intensely on your baby,
but your body needs nutrition, fluids and rest in order to
maximize your supply (and to maintain your sanity).
Any stress relief you can manage (meditation, exercise, tea/coffee break, a walk outside, or telephoning a friend) can go a long way in helping your overall health as well.

~Hand express after pumping- Some moms respond phenomenally to the pump, others, not so much. Either way, if you take the extra couple of minutes to hand express after pumping then you are really helping your body get the message to "kick start" that milk production.

~Do SKIN to SKIN as soon as you are able- As soon as you are able to hold your baby then do so. Skin to skin contact with your baby can really help your milk supply and may double as a great way to comfort your baby (need I mention how great snuggling is?).

~Get help Breastfeeding (IBCLC)- An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) may be working somewhere within your hospital or be close enough in proximity to assist. Discuss with her your pumping plan and any other questions you might have. When your baby is able to breastfeed again an IBCLC can assist you in making the transition as smooth as possible.

~Set an alarm...or two- Setting an alarm (disable the snooze feature) on your phone or other device can help you keep to a regular pumping/feeding schedule. There may be times where you are busy so setting two alarms  (fifteen or so minutes apart) can keep you from
forgetting that it's time to pump/feed.

This came especially handy to me during the night-time pumping sessions
when I needed an extra reminder to wake up!

~Free meals?- Since my son was exclusively breastfed, they provided free meals (breakfast/lunch/dinner). Ask your hospital what their policy is.