Factoid #2
Bonding with you helps your baby feel the world is a safe place to play, learn, + explore. This is the foundation for their development + wellbeing throughout childhood.
Styles of Attachment
Your baby wants to connect with you when they…
make eye contact or smile at you
make noises like coos/laughs
looks interested/relaxed
are frightened, upset, tired, or ill
Feeding Your Baby
What's Normal for Preemies:
Feeding through a tube that goes directly into the stomach.
Feeding intravenously (if baby can’t digest yet). This will be through the umbilical area or through a vein.
Some babies may be able to start learning how to breastfeed as early as 29 weeks; others learn how to feed (breast or bottle) over time, starting around weeks 34-37.
Going home with a feeding tube and learning how to beast or bottle feed later.
Feeding a little breast milk here and there while they are learning.
Feeding breast milk using a syringe, cup, tube or other device.
Benefits of Breastmilk*
For Baby
For Mom
Other
*Each mother and baby are unique.
It's essential to consult with a lactation specialist who specializes in premature babies.
If you’re undecided about whether you will breastfeed your baby, you can start pumping to keep your milk supply going until you've decided. Any amount of breast milk offers your baby some of the many benefits outlined above.
What Is Colostrum?
The early breast milk produced in first 3-4 days after delivery.
Color may be clear, bright yellow, white, orange, pink, green, or light brown.
Helps protect baby from viruses and infections by “painting” stomach/intestines lining.
Can be breast or tube fed
What Mom Can Expect
Your nipples may be tender during the first week or so of nursing,. They should improve each day.
You may not be able to be present for all of your baby's oral feedings, so they may need to bottle-feed also. Work with the nurses to decide whether/when to introduce a bottle.
You may be “touched out” by the end of the day and need some space.
Tips for Breast Care
Ensure a deep latch with baby.
Wear a well fitted-bra (not too tight), and avoid underwires.
Express a little milk onto nipples after a nursing session and allow them to air-dry (this helps them heal).
Shower/bathe daily, but avoid soap on nipples.
Change feeding positions to decrease pressure on sore spots.
Break baby’s suction with your finger when unlatching before you remove your baby.
When Breastfeeding Isn't Easy
Despite the many benefits breastfeeding provides to both baby and mother, 5-10% of women are physiologically unable to do it.
Many more women experience difficulty learning how to breastfeed. That’s normal, and it’s ok to struggle with it.
…Any Why It's Harder With Premies
It may not come naturally for premies with special needs or developmental delays. Premies also often start out being tube fed and must transition to the breast, which can be challenging.
Babies may be born with a lip or tongue tie, which makes it difficult for them to latch on. It’s important for your medical team to assess if there’s a medical reason behind the difficulty.
This is normal. You are not alone.
Is What I'm Feeling Normal?
Like you are failing
Guilty
Embarassed
Ashamed
Discouraged
Lactation Consultants: A Vital Resource
Challenges:
Hospitals may not have sufficient staff to meet the needs of their patients needing lactation coaching or education.
Moms may have trouble coordinating their schedule with the lactation consultant’s.
Workarounds:
Ask for all the resources the hospital can provide you.
Make an appointment with a lactation consultant as soon as you can after birth.
Be persistent and proactive about making this appointment, even if you think you don’t need help.
Hire your own lactation consultant:
Take Advantage of Donated Breast Milk
Ask about your medical team about breast milk banks. Generous Moms donate breast milk for just this situation. You can still provide your baby with the benefits of breast milk, even if you can’t breastfeed yourself.
Share this information with Moms who are breastfeeding! Ask them to consider donating extra milk. A premie may eat as little as one ounce or less per feeding. Every drop helps!
Google search for a milk bank near you, or use one of these links:
…Or Use Formula
Your baby’s pediatrician will provide recommendations on formula appropriate for premature babies that provides them with sufficient nutrients and calories.
Making your own formula is a possibility for those who have the time and ability. Here is one respected resource with a few recipes.
