I have a friend who has a child in NICU right now who is pumping full time
due to baby having anoxic brain damage.  Baby was born full term, 3600 gms,
with likely placental abruption and was resuscitated at birth, starting with
no heartrate and no respiratory rate.  He was on a ventilator for a week,
then was weaned off.  His EEG and brain MRI show severe brain injury and the
prognosis is very poor for significant neurologic recovery.  He currently
does seem to swallow secretions, and is sucking a little bit on a pacifier,
but when speech pathology evaluated him they had a hard time getting him to
swallow and felt he was as risk for aspiration.  Baby will likely get a
G-tube on 11/23 and then hopefully come home.
Mom has been pumping from birth, every 3 hours, with a classic in the NICU
and a Lactina at the Ronald McDonald House.  She is getting 4-6 oz per
session she says (she wasn't sure how much in 24 hours as she hadn't been
keeping track but I'm guessing 32-40 oz based on her description.)  She
intends to pump long-term if baby never learns to coordinate suck and
swallow. I'm thinking this volume of milk is fine.
My question is about pumps for her.  When she comes home from NICU she has
at home only a Medela handpump.  She has no insurance and is financially
challenged.  There is a rental station in the next town, but the cost would
be a hardship for this family.  I have a Pump In Style that I have used for
a year.  Any chance this pump would be enough for her?  (yes, I know they
are personal use pumps and the theoretic possibility of contamination.)
Anyone know of financial assistance for pump rental or purchase?
What can I tell her about how often to pump and for how long?  I know some
exclusive pumpers are eventually able to pump less frequently and still
maintain a supply.
Anyone have any experience with a child with profound neurological issues
like this?  The parents are very hopeful that he will have some recovery,
but his test results are grave, so we just don't know.  It's been very
painful for this mom to deal with healthcare providers who are trying to
make her "face reality."  Several even suggested to the parents that they
simply don't feed him, and another nurse told her while she was cuddling the
baby "You know he won't be this cute and cuddly when he gets bigger."
Jennifer Tieman
Family Physician
Grateful mom to 4 healthy children, including my toddler nursling Caroline Rose

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