Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Medical Interventions to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply Anyone adoptve BF a preemie with feeding issues?

Dh and I have heard of a baby who was born early, and is currently on a feeding tube. He is otherwise healthy, and the Dr is expecting him to be eating on his own and be released from the hospital within a month of his birth.

Does anyone have any experience getting a preemie to breastfeed? I am not sure if he would easily take to the breast, after being on a feeding tube for a month.

Thanks

Hi Dawn,

I'm your gal! Adam was born 8 weeks premature. He was on a feeding tube for a few days but they don't typically allow you to breastfeed until the baby is "nippling" well via bottle. So Adam didn't take the breast until about 9 days. It can be quite the challenge if the NICU is not "breastfeeding friendly". Do they have a board certified lactation consultant on staff? She would be the best one to help you.

You can read my story here: http://www.asklenore.info/breastfeeding/mothers_story.html

One of the best things you can do besides breastfeed is hold your preemie skin-to-skin as soon as he is stable and able to leave his isolet. Kangaroo Mother Care is very important for these infants according to Nils Bergman who says the mother's body is the ideal environment for preemies and research shows they do much better if they are held.

Between the breastfeeding and the KMC, your baby should be outta there in no-time. But the average stay is the amount of weeks until the baby would be considered at term depending on how early the little one is and what his weight and condition are. They like to see them consuming nutrition well and gaining well.

Best,

Dawn is this possible baby #3 for you this quickly? How exciting!!! Where are you at in the protocol right now? Oh and you have all that milk in your freezer you can pastuerize right?

Yes, this would be baby #3 for us. This will likely be our last adoption, so he would be our youngest.
I started the protocol on 7/31and I had used Diane last time, so I am using the generic form of Diane this time around, too. (*Note- Lenore and Dr Newman no longer recommend the Diane*)

I do still have that milk I can pasturize. How do I do that, though?

We don't know if this situation will be a match for us or not. It's more expensive than we were planning, but I feel good about it because we won't be having to risk any money. The bmom is signing away her rights in court on Monday. Wish us luck that we get picked!

Lenore,
Thanks so much for sharing your story! I didn't realize that your ds was a preemie. I have no idea how breastfeeding friendly the hospital there is. I will concentrate on Kangaroo Care, and breastfeed as soon as possible.
Does anyone know of a good sling?

Hi!

Although my twins were biological, I did nurse preemies... They were born at 30weeks, and were tube fed for weeks. They were in the NICU for 7 weeks, and I bf'd when I could get there, but they had bottles a lot of the time while they were in the hospital. I saw no nipple confusion. We had our issues-- like reflux, apnea during feeds, my engorgement- from pumping and making WAY more than they needed- was causing me to DROWN them at the beginning of their feeds, etc. But, it worked itself out and I am so happy I stuck with it! Take it slow, be patient, and know that you are giving that baby the best!! I suggest finding a great lactation consultant to help you out. The first time I nursed one of my boys, he stopped breathing, heart rate started to plummit... and all the nurses had to run and help stimulate him to get breathing again! Nursing/Feeding/Just Parenting preemies is not for the faint of heart! but, with good support, you will figure out all you need to know!