Northside Hospital - Special Beginnings

MAINTAINING YOUR MILK SUPPLY From day 14 and beyond it is important to maintain your well established milk supply. Your goal is to pump at least 24 ounces a day (750ml). Tips: • Continue to pump often, 8 times in a 24 hour period. • Do not suddenly change your pumping schedule. • Continue to pump at night but you may be able to stretch the pumping times out. • Track your milk volumes daily and contact the lactation consultant if you notice a decrease. • Combine hand expression and hands on pumping to maintain and increase milk volume. INCREASING YOUR MILK SUPPLY Tips: • Use a double electric pump. • Pump more regularly (every 2-3 hours). • Increase to 9-12 pumping sessions in 24 hours. • Wake up at night to pump. • Use more hands on pumping and hand expression. • Discuss power pumping with your lactation consultant. • Pump at the baby’s bedside. • Lose pregnancy weight slowly. • Decrease stress, increase rest. • Use caution with hormonal birth control. • Some medications may interfere with your milk supply. Check with your lactation consultant.

MILK SUPPLY Building a good milk supply:

It can be normal to hand express or pump only a few drops or nothing at all the first few days. Save these drops and take them to the SCN for your baby. • Day 1 to 14 is the most important time for building a good milk supply. • By pumping your breasts you are telling your body there is a need for milk. • It is the regular pumping that increases your supply of breast milk. • Your first goal is to get the clear or yellow drops of colostrum. It will be hard to go home and leave your baby at the hospital. Remember your only job is to make milk for your baby. You can always call in and check on your baby when you are pumping.

• Avoid or limit caffeine. • Increase protein intake.

Milk Supply Goals:

• Day one get drops of colostrum. • Each day get more than the day before. • End of first week 12-16 ounces (350-500ml) in 24 hours • End of the second week 20-25 ounces (>500ml or more) in 24 hours • Some mothers have health issues that can delay their supply so keep pumping to increase milk volume and talk with your nurse and lactation consultant.

• Avoid or limit carbonated drinks such as sodas. • Let your nurse or lactation consultant know if you are having problems.

Special Beginnings in the Special Care Nurseries

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