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About Michele Carnesecca, RN, IBCLC
Expertise
Author of the book "MOMMY"S LITTLE BREASTFEEDING BOOK: 101 TIPS YOUR BABY WANTS YOU TO KNOW ABOUT NURSING" (Go to littlebreastfeedingbook.com). I can answer questions on the benefits of breastfeeding, how to increase your milk supply, engorgement, mastitis, scheduling feedings, going back to work, sore nipples, correct latch and positioning, pumps, bras, bottles, pacifiers, breastfeeding products, how to know if your baby is getting enough, and most questions about breastfeeding. I have worked as a Registered Nurse in Pediatrics, Newborn ICU, and Mother/Baby. I have been a Lactation Consultant for 10 years and I am IBCLC certified. I teach Prenatal Breastfeeding classes and I currently work as a Lactation Consultant and Registered Nurse at a "Magnet" hospital. I have breastfed 4 children of my own.

Experience
I have worked as a registered nurse in Pediatrics, Mother/Baby, and Newborn ICU. I have been a Lactation Consultant for the past 10 years and I am IBCLC certified. I currently work as a lactation consultant in a "Magnet" hospital. I also teach Prenatal Breastfeeding classes. I have breastfed four children of my own. I am the author of "Mommy's Little Breastfeeding Book: 101 tips your baby wants you to know about nursing". This book is a "must have" for every breastfeeding mother. It contains invaluable information about nursing in a quick, easy-to-read format.

Organizations
IBCLC

Publications

Education/Credentials
High School graduate, RN degree from Weber State/Utah State University, IBCLC member

You are here: Experts > Parenting/Family > Pregnancy/Birth > Breastfeeding > Feeling sick when haven't pumped for long period of time.

Breastfeeding - Feeling sick when haven't pumped for long period of time.

Expert: Michele Carnesecca, RN, IBCLC - 10/3/2008

Question
I only pump about once every 12 hours. I'm assuming I should pump more, to help with my milk supply. I breast feed my baby occasionally, but not daily, but she ALWAYS gets breast milk. I built a large supply of breast milk when she was first born (at that time I was pumping 6-8/day, getting 40-50 oz a day. Anyway, here I am 4 months later (she was 15 premature and was in the NICU for 10 weeks)only pumping every 12 hours (I get about 10-12 total each time I pump), but if I go for any more than 12 hours without pumping I start feeling sick, dizzy, sweating, clammy... luckily I have not had Mastitis. I just wonder why I feel this way (besides the fact that I haven't pumped), is it something in breast milk that makes me feel sick (seems like it's a toxin that's making me sick) or is it just simply my body telling me that I need to pump. It's not an important question, just one I can't find the answer to and I want to understand why my body is feeling this way.

Regarding my baby: she is 18 weeks old (but 15 weeks early). I live in Iowa (though I'm sure that's not making me sick).

Answer
Hi Sarah,

That is great that you have persevered through NICU and pumping. It takes a dedicated mother to do that well. That is great that you are able to pump that much at one pumping.

You mentioned about feeling sick when waiting too long before pumping. Even though you have not had a "full blown" mastitis, the feelings you are having are the beginning stages of a mastitis. When mom's call me at our clinic with these feelings, I generally tell her to pump her breasts immediately until drained, drink a lot of fluids, bed rest for 24-48 hours with pumping every 1-3 hours. This can usually pull her out of a full blown mastitis. Once moms get a high fever with these symptoms for about a day, they need to take antibiotics.

If you are draining your breasts once you feel like this, my thoughts are that you are basically pulling yourself out of a mastitis every time. I would recommend pumping at least at every 6 hour intervals to avoid feeling like that. Yes, your body is telling you that you need to pump more often.

You can go to www.littlebreastfeedingbook.com. This book contains the most important tips every mother needs to know about breastfeeding.

Good luck and keep pumping.

Michele

P.S. I don't think Iowa is making you sick, either. (Smile)

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