Congratulations on your decision to provide breastmilk for your baby. Breastmilk is wonderful for your baby in so many ways, we want to make sure that you develop a good supply for him or her. Here is some information to help you get started.

• Start pumping your breasts as soon as possible after delivery to stimulate your breasts to start making milk for your baby.
• Always use a hospital grade electric breast pump that allows you to pump both breasts at the same time. This will help you develop the best milk supply possible. There are hospital grade electric breast pumps on the labor and delivery unit, the post partum unit and in the NICU. Let your nurse know if you need one.
• Pump your breasts at least 8 times per day. This is at least every 3 hours around the clock. It is important that you wake up at night to pump because stimulating your breasts in the middle of the night will help you make more milk for your baby.
• Pump for about 10 minutes for the first few days. This will stimulate your breasts enough to start making milk. Once your milk has "come in" you want to make sure that you pump until your breasts are empty (until no more milk is coming out).
• The suction setting of your pump should be at whatever level is comfortable for you. You want milk to be flowing (after your milk has "come in") but there should be no pain while pumping.
• Make sure you save EVERY drop of your milk. It is very important that your baby receive all of your milk as soon as it is available. NEVER throw away breastmilk even if it’s just a drop.
• Cups and labels will be provided for you to strore your milk. Write the date and time that you pumped on the label and make sure that you use a new container for each pumping even if you only get a drop or two.
• Don’t put any more than 15 mls of milk in each cup if your baby is not taking your breastmilk for feedings yet. Your baby’s nurse will let you know when you can put more in each cup.
• Your milk should be put in a refrigerator until it is transported to the NICU. Transport your milk in a cooler bag with an icepack to keep it cold. Your baby’s nurse will tell you whether to put it in the NICU freezer or refrigerator.
• If you have any questions or concerns about pumping, milk supply etc. please let your nurse know and she will answer them for you and/or put you in touch with a lactation support team member who can help you.