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BFing Question

Kate621Kate621 member
in Preemies
Has anyone successfully bf their micro preemie? We are still in the NICU and working with a LC but it is very frustrating. I really want to BF for a year and will pump if I have to, but life would be so much easier if he got the hang of this! Any stories of hope out there?
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Re: BFing Question

  • ayramayram member

    DS was not quite a micro-preemie (2lbs 5 oz, 27 weeks) but he was able to breastfeed. (I actually had more problem with DS #1 at 33 weeks - took 4 months of pumping/trying,,,)

      Keep up the pumping, seek whatever help you can find, and keep on trying!  I admire your dedication, and I hope it works out well for you!

    Mom to 4 boys under age 6 Evan, Darren, Liam & Isaac
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  • ArvadaBrideArvadaBride

    Well DD wasn't declared a micro-preemie but we did have success once she was able to be BF'd.  Of course, I am now an exclusive pumper most of the time due to reflux.

    Keep going and fight for your goal.  The two of you can do this.  I just know it will work for you.  I'm sure there will be times where frustation and struggles will abound but you are a strong proud preemie mom and you will prevail.

    Way to go Kate!

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  • morganoremorganore

    We did! DD was a micro preemie born at 28 weeks weighing 1 lb 13 oz...I kangarooed her every day for a few hours and worked with the LC when it came to start oral feedings. We started non-nutritive bf-ing (skin to skin at the breast letting LO explore) at 32 or 33 weeks. We did that for just a week and then when she was ready for oral feedings we started out with one bf a day. ( I said no to bottles and we started bf-ing first). I used an extra small nipple shield, since DD didn't have the muscles to hold a latch. She did absolutely great! After 2 weeks, she was at 4 oral feedings, and since they are spaced out, I decided to let the bottles start and had the nurses do the night feedings with the bottles I brought (the first years breast flow). I also refused to feed DD a bottle bc I only want her to associate the boob with me-just my own personal concerns. Right before she was ready to come home ( at 37 wks) I switched to a small sized nipple shield. We are still using the nipple shield but slowing working on weening off of it. DD has been doing great without it but just gets a little frustrated because she doesn't have the correct latch and will slip off. I'm not in too much of a hurry to get away from it because she has reflux and I don't want to tick her off even more during feedings, but the LLL told me it should be around 3 mos adjusted that she should be ready to let go of it and naturally have the correct latch. 

    While we were in the nicu bf-ing, I did have a few struggles. Learning to let down to your baby is a lot harder to do in the beginning than you think because you have gotten so used to the pump, so sometimes I needed to turn the pump on just to hear it. Deep breathing exercises also helped. I just needed to be alone with DD and have a clear mind. Eventually it just becomes natural and easy, just like when pumping.  

    Also DD was having a hard time gaining as much weight as they wanted her to right before she left the nicu, so I started to feel like it was my fault, and it definitely was not! She was absolutely fine. They just sent us home on a mixing formula with bm for 4 bottle feeds. Well when we got home we weened her off of those and she started EBFing :) She is 4 months and 9 lbs now! I feed her on demand and she is gaining like a champ! 

    Switching from pumping so much to just BFing took some time and patience too. My boobs were so used to pumping at certain times that they would be engorged and uncomfortable. So at first DD wasn't emptying me, so I would pump after. This lasted for about a month. Once she was full term I started weening off of pumping. I would only pump after feedings if I still felt full or if DD didn't eat off of both boobs. I haven't pumped in about a month now and I love it! It is just so much more convenient and stress free for me to just EBF :) Good Luck! If you have any other ?'s feel free to PM me!

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  • carlamellcarlamell

    We've been home for 2 weeks now and are finally getting better! DS was 2lbs at birth (29 weeks). He always had a good latch, so I thought that things would be pretty easy. It was definitely a lot of work, but I kept at it and we both enjoy the experience! He still gets 2 to 3 bottles a day (fortified breastmilk) but other than that he's nursing.

    I posted this thread last week and got some advice so I thought I'd share it with you. 

    https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/44341459.aspx

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  • Kate621Kate621 member
    Thanks for the advice ladies! We are going to keep working with the LC. I'm going to ask about the nipple shield as well.
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  • kar5162kar5162 member
    The nipple shield can be a huge help.  DS was a 34 weeker, but we still used the nipple shield for 8 months (6.5 months adjusted).  In the beginning he was just too weak and he also had a tounge tie which made BFing more complicated.  He dropped it on his own at 8 months and we are still BFing at 13.5.  We used the Medela contact shield which is really almost nothing.  It didn't impact my supply at all.
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  • DeutscherDeutscher
    We are using the nipple shield, I was so amazed the first time I used it and how well he latched on. As time goes on I will try to wein him off it, but it is better he gets his feedings that way!
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