How to Breastfeed a Preemie Baby

Premature babies are difficult to breastfeed, there's no doubt about it. Between excessive pumping, formula fortification, nipple control and developing reflexes, it can be a challenge that seems almost insurmountable for a new mother. Nevertheless, the rewards that come from choosing to breastfeed your preemie baby can include a lifetime of increased health and strength. There is also peace of mind for you in knowing that you did what was best for your baby, regardless of the inconvenience to you.

Instructions

It's hard but worth it....

1

Pump every three hours once your milk comes in. You will need to do this in order to keep your milk supply up while your baby is drinking milk from a feeding tube if necessary. Some preemie babies can nurse from birth, but it usually takes them a little longer than a full term baby to get the hang of things. Be patient and just know that if your baby doesn't nurse right away, that's ok. He or she can still nuzzle at the breast and that skin to skin contact will stimulate milk production. If the pumping and contact with your baby doesn't help you produce enough milk, you can try fenugreek seed which will also help.

2

Collect your milk in collection bags and freeze them while you are producing more than your baby is drinking. Be sure to discard any unfrozen milk within 24 hours because breast-milk can grow bacteria more readily than cow's milk due to its unpasteurized nature.

3

Fortify your defrosted milk and bottle feed it to your baby for as long as your doctor orders. After a while, you can breastfeed your baby normally. However, it's important to pump, fortify your milk, and bottle feed in the beginning so that your baby gets off to a good start. Be sure to control the speed of the bottle flow by tipping the bottle toward and away from your baby gently and slowly. Give your baby plenty of time, but if you are on a feeding schedule in the hospital NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) make sure not to exceed 30 minutes of duration for the feeding.

4

Watch for trouble latching on when breastfeeding your baby from the breast. Make sure you use a breast shield if you have inverted nipples or you feel your baby may have trouble latching on appropriately. Allow your baby to nuzzle if he or she isn't ready to feed yet, and be ready to complete the feeding with a bottle or feeding tube if he or she isn't strong enough to complete the feeding on their own. Preemie babies tend to fall asleep at the breast very easily, so don't force the feeding, just let it come naturally and be patient.

5

Feed your baby on demand if you can. This will stimulate and increase production as well as contribute to much needed bonding between you and your baby. Use of pacifiers and binkies can sometimes slow down the process of producing milk. However, it's a balancing act, learning to breastfeed a premature baby. On the one hand, you want to let nutrition and proper feeding technique take precedence, because this will establish a great foundation for the future. On the other, things will develop as they should, and it's important not to place yourself or your baby under unnecessary pressure as this will have the opposite effect than that you desire.