Pumping before milk comes in?

Question

My baby is only 2 days old but is having a hard time latching. It is a hit and miss. Sometimes he latches and will feed for 20-30 minutes and other times it’s 5 minutes and he won’t latch any longer than that. The hospital suggested I supplement with formula in the meantime. My milk is not in but I am able to express lots of colostrum. Wondering if I should pump during the times he doesn’t latch or feed for long? Is it okay to pump before your milk is in? I have an appointment with a breastfeeding clinic on Monday but in the meantime I feel so lost! I’m new to this and would appreciate any advice from other Moms! Thank you in advance!

Answer

Don’t listen the the hospital. I can’t believe they said that!! To give formula…Ahhh. That will just delay milk coming in even more. 
Colostrum is allllll babe needs right now. And very important babe gets it. Just keep latching. Baby has to practice too. Get a consult with an IBCLC for help. As of right now don’t pump. Hand expressing is totally fine. Babe doesn’t need much at all as the stomach is only the size of a marble.

Answer

Forgot. 
Babe is far more effective at pulling milk out than a pump ever will be. It takes on average 3-5days for supply to come in. Baby will get you there.

Answer

No, I would just nurse through it. A nursing pattern of sometimes latching for 20-30 minutes and sometimes latching for only 5 is completely normal - as is producing colostrum. It's also normal for them to hunger cue mere minutes after unlatching so don't wait a certain amount of time between feeds - just nurse again even if you just nursed.  Only reason to watch the clock is to make sure your newborn doesn't go longer than 3hrs without nursing until they reach their birthweight.

Answer

Do not offer formula! This will delay your milk and can actually cause a lower supply. Breastmilk production is all supply and demand. When my son was born, he had a really sever tongue tie. I used nipple shields to help him latch. I put him to the breast all the time, even though some feedings were way more successful than others. I also used my haakaa and my electric pump to collect more milk, which I fed to him with a syringe.

Answer

Keep breastfeeding as much as you can, the milk will come. You can pump after a short breastfeed session but you would probably only need to do that on day 4 or 5 if it’s still not in. Also you would only need to use formula again if it’s day 5 or 6 and milk hasn’t come in and bub has lost too much weight but doctor, hospital or LC can help advise there. Good luck :)

Pumping before milk comes in?

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