Breastfeeding A Premature Baby

Having a premature baby can be a worrying and stressfull time for new parents. Breastfeeding is great for all newborns, but it's even more important if your baby arrives early. Learning to breastfeed a premature baby can be a trying and stressful experience.
Many mothers of premature babies can encounter many challenges in establishing breastfeeding. At many hospitals it's standard practice to start off feeding very premature babies expressed breast milk through a nasogastric (NG) tube (known as gavage). Here are 7 things you need to know about breastfeeding your premature baby:

1.    You'll work closely with the hospital staff overseeing your baby's care on a plan to feed your pumped breast milk to your baby. The breastmilk you produce for your premature baby is different as compared to if your baby was born full term, is important for your baby. Once your baby is able to start nursing at the breast, be prepared to nurse frequently, although preemies may not take in much milk at each feeding until they're closer to term. Formula feeding is associated with lower long term IQ outcomes in premature babies as compared to breastfed premature babies.


2.    Kangaroo care is especially important for your premature baby:
  1. Helps your baby to maintain normal body temperature.
  2. Helps your baby to remain calm.
  3. Gives your baby the opportunity to try to attach to your breast.
  4. Assists with bonding between you and your baby. 
3.    Premature babies typically have less endurance and ability than term babies to feed effectively at the breast. So, while your baby grows stronger and more mature, expressing can form an important part of establishing your supply and providing your premature baby with your breastmilk. Breast massage and compression while expressing and skin-to-skin contact with your baby help to increase the amount of milk you express.

4.  Introducing the breast can vary depending on how preemie your baby is. Some premature babies can breastfeed from 32 weeks gestation, while others take longer than expected.

5.    The underarm or ‘football’ hold, with your baby supported up on a pillow, works well for many mothers with premature babies. Brushing your nipple of your baby’s top lip can encourage her to open her mouth wide. Seeing a lactation consultant can provide you with more tips about positioning and attaching your premature baby.


6.    Using nipple shields can help. Premature babies have immature intra-oral sucking pressures which can reduce the amount of milk they get while breastfeeding. For premature babies, a nipple shield may help with attachment to the breast and can improve the amount of milk they get.
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