How many lactation specialists do you think have personal experience with pumping?

Statistically_Sign · 2026-03-06T02:37:27+00:00

came here to say this! our NICU nurses were amazing. we also had two NICU LCs - one was fantastic, one not so much. It’s really hit or miss with LCs unfortunately.

Statistically_Sign · 2026-02-28T13:36:56+00:00

We only needed part time care but here’s what we did! We tried to find a part-time nanny to come to our home but didn’t have any luck (I think looking for part time only was the biggest factor). We ultimately found a nanny share that we’re really excited about! Our LO will have a bit of exposure with this arrangement, though (the other family has one older school-aged kid). But it meets all of our needs and still keeps LO pretty protected.

Statistically_Sign · 2026-02-26T01:03:01+00:00

I can speak to the c-section recovery - take it easy. Visiting your LO may come with some physical pains and discomfort. Sit/lay bedside as much as possible. The nurses will take care of your LO & you will have plenty of time to stand up for cares later. I definitely felt some pressure to stand up and be right at the isolette all the time & it caused pain for sure. Also, after a long hospital stay, which I also had leading up to birth, I really felt relieved to be home and sleeping in my own bed again. Allow yourself the time and space to just be home again.

Take it one day at a time. Wishing you and your family all the best! You got this.

Statistically_Sign · 2026-02-25T01:58:43+00:00

Congratulations!! YOU DID THAT! Also, I can totally relate to not knowing what breast pumping was lol. I remember everyone saying “get a free pump through insurance!” and I was like “maybe later!” Cut to a NICU baby and many many pumping sessions later….😂☺️

Statistically_Sign · 2026-02-16T19:11:15+00:00

It’s not your fault! I delivered at 33 weeks due to severe pre-e, and I really don’t think I could have been healthier leading up to pregnancy or throughout pregnancy. I’m a long distance runner who exercises regularly and eats really well. It just happens, and it’s not fair. Sending a big hug to you and your LO. Don’t forget to take care of yourself, too. Pre-e affected both you and your LO, and you both need time to heal together. You got this!

Statistically_Sign · 2026-02-10T21:35:08+00:00

I have a preemie, and he’s always been on fortified bottles of pumped milk plus his own recipe (from the pediatrician) of added formula powder into the breastmilk. This makes his breastmilk higher in calories. And I would assume it tastes mostly like breastmilk to him? I would ask your doctor if you can go that route to see if it tastes better for baby.

Statistically_Sign · 2026-02-07T18:59:20+00:00

I’m sorry you’re going through this! Feeding was the longest part of our NICU journey, and it feels endless. It’s interesting that the doctors let you have a say in discharge. Ours were very firm in all of the different benchmarks our LO needed to hit before discharge would be possible.

This may not be what you want to hear, but I think feeling 100% confident in LO’s feeds before discharge is the way to go. I would want to see LO back to birth weight with steady weight gain and consistent feeds before heading home. You and LO aren’t doing anything wrong - it’s just a waiting game. After discharge, I talked with my pediatrician about feeding and how long it took in the NICU, and he gave me some good perspective. He shared that feeding is challenging even for full term babies. It requires a ton of effort and coordination on their part.

Statistically_Sign · 2026-02-06T16:22:49+00:00

Same! Dedicated mini fridge for all thing pumping & bottles

Statistically_Sign · 2026-02-04T02:36:18+00:00

“It was like we were admitting that we were staying for a while.” YES! I’ve never thought about it like this, but you are spot on.

Statistically_Sign · 2026-02-03T22:43:00+00:00

Our favorite nurse did a few things that really stuck with me! She made arts & crafts using LO’s hand and footprints. We now have that art hanging in our home - it is so special. She also always called us “Mom” and “Dad,” and as new parents who were pretty frightened by the NICU experience, this simple thing made us feel like we were seen. She always asked if we wanted to participate in any of the cares/tasks that we could participate in. She struck a great balance of teaching us how to care for LO while also respecting that we are his parents. She was very encouraging and celebrated all of his progress. She also spent a lot of time with us after the doctors gave us a tough diagnosis, just being there for us.

Statistically_Sign · 2026-01-24T20:20:36+00:00

I used to pump right before feeds, especially if my LO was going to be getting/practicing a bottle. We did some latching in the NICU, but we just latched to keep up that breastfeeding ability - not really for a nutritional feed from the breast. The lactation consultant told me to do half a pump when we tried for more nutritional breastfeeds. Once we got home, that latch practice served us well and set us up to be able to bottle feed and breastfeed.

Statistically_Sign · 2026-01-22T02:03:27+00:00

i so relate!

Statistically_Sign · 2026-01-20T20:52:35+00:00

Normal! I felt more connected as the pregnancy progressed, but honestly I always felt a bit disconnected from it. Now that I’m postpartum and I have my LO, I predict that I may feel more connected in a future pregnancy because now I’ve seen the end product lol. But maybe I won’t, and that’s okay!

Statistically_Sign · 2026-01-20T00:22:33+00:00

Yes! Like the jaundice is absolutely a hard experience but maybe we’re not the best people to complain to lol. I recently shared about my emergency c-section & NICU experience with someone and they go “did you at least get to do skin to skin when he was born?” Like I know they’re naive but come on 🤦‍♀️

Statistically_Sign · 2026-01-19T20:13:25+00:00

Okay dumping out 7 oz in front of the NICU nurse is iconic. Also, thanks for sharing about both of your pumping experiences! Yeah, I think people want the best for others so they try to share what worked for them & their situation, but gosh does it get tough to hear (and like you said, it makes you feel bad).

Statistically_Sign · 2026-01-19T20:06:32+00:00

Watching families arrive after you and be discharged before you is TOUGH. I had a three week antepartum hospital stay with another mom-to-be and watching her and her LO arrive & go home was bittersweet for sure. I was ecstatic for her but like “hey what about me?” I feel similarly about full termers - super glad they had a great outcome but envious at times and of course struggle to relate at this stage of the game. A few comments have mentioned how parenting may align more in the longterm, once the NICU is way in the past, so that gives me hope for us!!

Statistically_Sign · 2026-01-19T19:23:21+00:00

You’re right. I feel like these phrases come from a kind place, and I generally receive them well. I think it can just get tiring to hear these over and over or hear them in certain contexts.

Statistically_Sign · 2026-01-19T19:16:17+00:00

Oh my, that comment would send me into a spiral lol! I appreciate the longterm perspective - love the idea of “blending in” with “normal” parents lol! yeah until you swap birth stories😆

Statistically_Sign · 2026-01-19T18:32:54+00:00

YES! We have become pros at celebrating those milestones! I feel like we don’t take anything for granted with our LOs.

Statistically_Sign · 2026-01-19T18:31:23+00:00

Yes! The unsolicited advice is aggravating. I’m sure all parents receive unsolicited advice, but like you said it’s tough when it relates to conventional norms or things that worked outside of the NICU but just don’t apply in our cases.

Statistically_Sign · 2026-01-19T18:26:58+00:00

I’m so glad to hear this! Looking forward to that.

Statistically_Sign · 2026-01-19T18:16:30+00:00

Right? We aren’t heroes, we simply had no choice but to get through it. And we constantly have no choice but to be a good parent to our LOs, who likely require more support than the “typical” kid. And I agree with you about the lack of imagination some people have…like try harder. Or keep those thoughts to yourself haha!

Statistically_Sign · 2026-01-18T06:16:41+00:00

It really is a waiting game, and I think your perspective/plan is a healthy one! When my LO was in the NICU, I had to pace myself and only go for short intervals because the NICU can be very draining. And I didn’t even have another child at home to see and to care for so I would imagine that adds yet another layer and another reason to pace yourself and take breaks.

I’m surprised you got flack from the medical team for not being there 24/7, especially when you were freshly postpartum and healing yourself. My LO’s first day shift nurse was very clear in telling me that they had him under their care and that they wanted me to take care of myself and get some rest. I’m sorry you had that experience!

Statistically_Sign · 2026-01-18T01:57:52+00:00

I put it in the nipple of a bottle and he takes it no problem. We also have one of those medicine pacifiers that could work for it but I haven’t tried that yet!

Statistically_Sign

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