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Breastfeeding a Preemie
A New Mom's Experience
By Belinda Clarke
Most people will tell you that breastfeeding requires diligence and hard work, but breastfeeding a premature infant brings additional challenges. Of course it's worth it to provide the absolute best nutrition for your new baby, but when it comes to feeding a preemie, the road to success can be slow and stressful.
In utero, babies are not required to breathe or eat on their own. Because of this, pre-term infants often have trouble doing these things. Being thrust out of their cozy environment early, they are suddenly required to perform functions they "shouldn't have to do" at that point in their development. Depending on how premature the baby, some infants can't eat (or breathe) on their own following birth. In the case of my preemie, I was lucky that he came out screaming and never needed breathing assistance. Eating was another story. Born at 32 weeks, I knew that my son would be in the hospital's special care unit for several weeks, perhaps even until his due date. Unsure about when he would be able to breastfeed, I began expressing my milk right away to provide colostrum and then the subsequent breastmilk to him while he was in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). I began a practice of bringing chilled breastmilk from home to the hospital for the nurses to use. Because of his immature sucking reflex, most of his meals were fed to him via a feeding tube that went into his nose directly to stomach. However, as he got stronger, more meals were fed via bottle.
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Re: Breastfeeding a Preemie by Rosepearl on 05/13/2010 03:20AM
My baby was born at 33+1, and the nurses finally let me have a go at breastfeeding when he was 5 days old. I tried just once a day for 3 days as it exhausted him completely, even though he'd taken to it instantly. On the 4th day, at 9 days old I stayed at the hospital all day and breastfed him 3 times a day. He continued to gain weight, and on the 5th day of giving 3 feeds directly from the breast we were moved to the Transitional Care Unit where I immediately began giving 100% breastfeeds, he was now 12 days old. On the 3rd day in TCU they weighed him and he'd gained 112g in 3 days. At 15 days old I brought him home for the first time. I'm so glad i never agreed to him being given a bottle, it made the transition a lot easier. He's now nearly 6 months old (4 months corrected) we've now started weaning, but he's still only ever had breast milk and is now over 16lb. Starting from 4lb 7oz I think he's done amazingly well. Hang in there everyone, it gets better I promise.
Re: Breastfeeding a Preemie by anonymous on 05/03/2010 08:37AM
My son was born at 30 weeks, spent 21 days on the ventilator and the oscillator before being put on high flow. I started pumping on day one with the hope of breastfeeding someday.As the weeks passed i was more and more unsure it would happen. When we came home from the hospital he was still only taking breastmilk from the bottle with nursing occasionally. One day I decided i had had enough and he would either nurse exclusively or be a formula baby. With a few days of nursing every time he was hungry sometimes every hour or less we accomplished our goal and now he nurses very well. Patience, it will happen, no more pumping for me.
Re: feeding a Preemie by feeding problem on 03/03/2010 09:40AM
my baby now still nicu for 4 mths all day in tube feeding. now weight is going to 2kg plus can be discharged from hosp.but we facing feeding problem, now try in ot stimulate,,so still stay in hospital.. i very worried that .. can some one help me ?....
Re: Breastfeeding a Preemie by mom of 31 week 4 day on 02/18/2010 05:53PM
My son and I are continuing to adjust to home life and the prospect of nursing "normally". I am still a member of the 3 part feeding club but its nice to know that it may one day end.
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Re: Breastfeeding a Preemie by anonymous on 08/27/2010 06:56AM
I delivered my daughter at 31 weeks 1 day via c-section. My little girl was immediately brought to NICU. My baby stayed in NICU for 1.5months. During her stay, I usually wait for the time she will be taken out from the isollette because nurses will give her everyday bath. During those times, I give my daughter kangaroo care after bath and breastfeed. It was an overflowing feeling. I also bring milk expressed through breast pumps. Last August 15, 2010, we finally brought home our angel. I am still giving her mixed feedings. Bottle and breastfeed. Practice makes perfect, so mommies out there, don't lose hope. We will have exclusive feedings soon.