pumping in the hospital? [Archive]

Sharon_Mattes

03-17-2009, 02:38 PM

Hello Mom of 4:

This can be simple or not. :) If baby nurses well immediately after birth, then sleeps for 6 hours and shows no interest - that is normal and will probably improve after that first really long sleep after birth. However, if after several feedings you cannot get baby awake and there is no interest for 3-4 feedings...you should begin pumping to bring the
colostrum in so it will increase as baby shows interest. Be sure you have the Lactation
Consultant (or other breastfeeding helper available) come in and observe her signs of
interest (or lack of).

Another point to consider is this. When are you offering? If baby is only brought to you every couple of hours, she may have Nurses missing her 'feeding cues'. If you have her in the room with you, you can notice her squirming, stretching her limbs, making smacking sounds with her lips...some things that could easily be missed in the noisy nursery by very busy nurses. :0

Trying lots of s2s (skin to skin) with baby may help you notice her early rooting signs.
If you have tried all these things - then give her 24 to 48 hours of offering every couple
of hours, while dribbling your expressed colostrum on her lips at your chest - to see if she
'gets it'. Some babies take longer...but they have plenty of fluids the first 2 days to get by with easing into nursing without worrying about them too much.

Do check with the pediatrician 'just in case'. Occasionally something is wrong - like a high jaundice level or other condition that has not be identified. Babies usually love to suck - so if this is not happening - it should be closely watched.

Good luck - and by tonight you may have this resolved.

Sharon

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Hi, I was wondering in the hospital how soon do you recommend a mom starts pumping, when her healthy capable newborn is sleepy and not interested?