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:
- Helps your baby to maintain normal body
temperature.
- Helps your baby to remain calm.
- Gives your baby the opportunity to try to attach to
your breast.
- 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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