Breastfeeding a Preemie.

Christine - posted on 03/19/2009

My son was born at 29 wks 5 days and wasn't physically strong enough to breast feed at first. When he was able to master the whole sucking and swallowing thing the doctors had me bottle feed breast milk first and then slowly learn to take the breast. I also used a nipple shield until he was able to latch properly. I was really lucky and he was a champion breast feeder but, the doctors told me to always try to offer the breast first and if he's too tired to give him a bottle then. They also had me add 1/4 teaspoon of formula for each 45 ml of bottled breast milk I gave him. He is 3 months now and 10 pounds! I give him two bottles a day because I also have to add vitamins for anemia and then the rest is breast. Hope this helps a little

Amber - posted on 03/18/2009

In order to breastfeed my 33 weeker I have been using a nipple shield. She latches on sometimes without the shield but will always take the breast with the shield on. She has and latching problems since the beginning and she was also given a bottle from the beginning while in the NICU due to "feeding" issues at birth. You can either venture out on your own to purchase a nipple shield or you can seek out the help of a lactation consultant first to see if they can help with the latch issues and if not then use a nipple shield. A lactation consultant is the one who got me started on the nipple shield-they are a PITA but it's worth it to me to have her nursing.

Amber - posted on 03/18/2009

In order to breastfeed my 33 weeker I have been using a nipple shield. She latches on sometimes without the shield but will always take the breast with the shield on. She has and latching problems since the beginning and she was also given a bottle from the beginning while in the NICU due to "feeding" issues at birth. You can either venture out on your own to purchase a nipple shield or you can seek out the help of a lactation consultant first to see if they can help with the latch issues and if not then use a nipple shield. A lactation consultant is the one who got me started on the nipple shield-they are a PITA but it's worth it to me to have her nursing.

Schmoopy - posted on 03/18/2009

Wanted to add that if you keep pumping exclusively, you run the risk of your milk supply weakening. There's no better substitute for maintaining your milk supply than a baby!

Schmoopy - posted on 03/18/2009

Have you tried a nipple shield? They're available at Target, Walmart, etc. Here's a link to a picture: http://www.amazon.com/Medela-Contact-Nip...

I used one with my DD the entire time she was BFing - 7 months. She never learned to latch on properly, and I wasn't about to pump at every feeding. Although the shield was a bit of a pain, it was A LOT easier than pumping!

Try the nipple shield - it might be a good compromise for you and your DD.

Sara - posted on 03/17/2009

My son took a little while to get the whole idea. But by the time he was getting it (4.5 months) my supply was drying up. I too was a slave to the pump. Have you tried a nipple shield? That may trick her into thinking that she is on the bottle and you can slowly work her off the shield.

If your supply is going strong, stick with it. Don't push it, but stick with it and enjoy the times she does. You are doing great.

Crystal - posted on 03/16/2009

My son was born a month early, we had a lot of trouble breastfeeding...I pumped for 4 months because I was very stressed and anxious and it made things worse for both of us when I didnt let up and tried harder and harder, and it was more of a let down when it didn't work. Sometimes it just doesn't work, the best thing is that you are giving the breastmilk. Good luck.

Ali - posted on 03/16/2009

My son was born at 29 1/2 weeks, and he would get very fussy everytime I tried to breastfeed. It became a source of anxiety for me, since I wanted him to gain weight. I decided to pump into bottles and he's 7 months now and doing great. I am happy with my decision and he is over 15 pounds now, and that makes me feel great. I know in my heart I did the right thing. You will make the right decision for you and your baby.

Jessica - posted on 03/15/2009

keep him on the bottle of breast milk. but before you offer him the bottle, offer breast, if he doesnt take it, give him the bottle. try it for a lil while, it might help a bit?

Pamela - posted on 03/15/2009

I had the same isssues. What helped was I bouhgt those plactic nipple shields, you can get them from target, Babies R Us and I'm sure walmart. I used those for a week and then my baby figured, hey there's food in there. She would only suck on the nipple shield for a few mins each time, and then once she latcehd onto my breast it took her another 3 weeks to have the strength to latch on and stay on. I spent most if the time getting her to latch on time and time again (so be patient, it's a learning curve for both of you, but will be rewarding in weeks to come). You need to use one of your hands to smash your nipple into a sandwich to fit into the mouth. Once she was finally latching on and staying for a few mins, she would nurse and then fall alseep. My freinds told me they had to undress their babies in order to keep them awake to nurse. Even though she could latch on she still could only nurse for a few mins before she would get really tired, and then I was worried about her not getting enough food to grow. Just when she stared to get stronger my body stop producing milk, I was only getting 1/2 oz each time for the past 4 months so it didn't surprise me.
Good Luck.

Antoinette - posted on 03/14/2009

I my son was a 2 month early preme...i had to use a thing that went over my nipple that was shaped as a bottle nipple. I can not remeber what it is called but if you go to a phamacy they know what they are, or get a hold of a lactation consultant. I got mine from a lactation consultant and she sized me and told me how to use it and also helped me figure out when my son was ready for the bare breast as apposed to the "bottle nipple" i was using over my nipple. It took my son about 2 months before he was latching to my bare breast. Hope this helps. good luck

Soktheary - posted on 03/14/2009

my daughter was born at 32 weks, (shes 1 now), she was latching on well, and feeding consistently, but was in the NICU for monthsand i was there nearly 24 hours everyday, going home only to shower or eat,and after maternity leave was over, i had to go back to work, so i pumped, and the nurses gave her my milk in a bottle, after the first time she was feeding from a bottle, she was just not interested in my breast anymore, when she finally came home, i thought that it would change, but she still would only feed from a bottle., i dont know wht the odds are, but i gave up trying to nurse her after she was 6 months, and just continued pumping.

Brooke - posted on 03/14/2009

my 28 weeker did the same  and is 5 months old and will still not breastfeed .. i've  tried everything but still she won't so i choose  to stop... shes still on frozen breastmilk but the time it took to feed her and then pump and clean everything i'd rather spend with her.. which for me was a good choice because her father woks straight days and she has reallllllly bad  acid reflux.. i could just imagine me trying to pump while keeping her upright .. but i think do what is best  for you i wish i would have kept pumping if i could but know that 45 mins every 3 hours i get extra with her

Rachelle - posted on 03/14/2009

My second son was also born at 33 weeks and is almost 7 months old now. He is doing great! He still does not nurse well at all and I just don’t push the issue. He takes a bottle (of breast milk) and is gaining weight everyday. I feel that getting the breast milk is the most important thing even if he has to get it by way of a bottle. My first son was great at nursing but when I returned to work he cried all day and wouldn’t take a bottle. When I would get home, he would nurse from that time until he went to bed. In some ways, it has been nice spending time with my second son not attached to my breast ALL the time!! In the end, pumping is not ideal but breast milk is and I will keep it up as long as I can for Andrew.

Jennifer - posted on 03/14/2009

This is a huge decision that you need to make, do you want to breast feed or do you want her to gain weight. Right now and for the next few months it is really important for you to know that she is eating. If this means giving up the dream of breast feeding that is something you need to let go of. It is very hard, you want to do whats best for your baby and all you know is that "breast is best". However you are soing the right thing by pumping. Keep trying to put her to breast she may catch on and do great, but remember that if you stress about it that it isn't going to help her at all. You need to do what is right for you. Keep pumping though, the milk is the final result that is really what is best for her. I give you this advice from experiance, my little guy(29 wks) was just not able as much as he and I both tryed it was not happening. He needed his food so I had to let go. It was the first most difficult thing i ever did. The second was when I had my 2nd child (full term, healthy) and again found i wasn't able to breastfeed very long(4 months). sometimes it's just not ment to be and thatsOK. Do what is right for YOU and your baby. I hope this helps!