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Lactation query
Hello Doctors,
My baby was born preterm at 31 weeks, and I’m currently completed 1st week of postpartum. I’ve been using a breast pump every 2 hours and am able to express about 6–8 ml milk per session. Could you please let me know if this amount is normal for this stage, and if there are any steps I can take to increase my milk production?
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It’s normal only
But you do pumping so that it cam improve your milk flow
Use electrical pump
Eat good amount of food
Eat egg, milk, nuts, spinach, garlic, drink fenugreek soaked water these will improve your milk production
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Frequent and consistent pumping, including at least once during the night, is key to establishing and maintaining a full milk supply. Effective expression also involves pumping for a few minutes after milk stops flowing and using breast massage to improve flow and boost production.
Double pumping (pumping both breasts at the same time) is more efficient and can yield a higher volume of milk compared to single pumpin
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Pumping a minimum of 100 minutes over a 24-hour period is the minimum time recommended to maintain a supply for a very premature or ill baby.
In the first few days, you will likely express only a small amount of colostrum (drops to a few ml)
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Such things should be asked from your Gynaecologist or your Paediatrician or even Staff Nurse in your ward . They are better tuned for such problems.
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Firstly, please use an electric pump, they have a massager function inbuilt. Use the massager for 5 minutes, then go on to pumping function. Have your baby nearby or even a picture/ video which helps in milk let down.
Secondly, first ten days have colostrum which is about 10 ml vol per session, so don’t worry and keep pumping every 2-3 hours or whenever your breasts feel hard.
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Dr. Mangal Puri
Gynecologist
48 yrs exp
Pune
At this stage, the volume of milk expressed is nearly normal. Stay relaxed, tension free. Keep the baby near your breast, suggest to take a video consultation for healthy lactation keeping the goal of fast increase
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Dr. Prateeksha B S
Obstetrician
7 yrs exp
Bangalore
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Dr. Neha Vashisth
Obstetrician
12 yrs exp
Jaipur
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Dr. Parru Singh
Gynecologist/Obstetrician
9 yrs exp
Lucknow
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