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XP: DS won't bottle feed but BFs well. HELP!

shanlubeyshanlubey
in Preemies

My DS is in a feeder grower NICU right now, after two and a half months in intensive care. He is an excellent nurser, for 30-40 minutes and getting at least two ounces after a weighed feeding. Our only problem is that he can be discharged if he can eat by mouth for all feedings, and half must be by bottle. Because of his small size, he needs lots of medications and supplements, including fortifying my breastmilk to a higher calorie level. 

What bottles did you have success with, especially if your LO needed a shield to BF? DS just gags and spits out all nipple we offer him, from Gerber, Nuk, BornFree, Enfamil, Similac... all hospital grade nipples. Everything. Samuel will not eat from one. Please help, and offer some advice. I want my baby home and this is the only way! 

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Re: XP: DS won't bottle feed but BFs well. HELP!

  • Lilystar82Lilystar82 member
    Tommee Tippee bottles are supposed to provide a similiar nipple to the breast. We had success with Dr.Brown's bottles with the preemie nipple - but my loves didnt breastfeed! Good Luck :) I know how frustrating waiting for them to get the hang of bottle feeding is!
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  • jcsntms06jcsntms06 member
    Another recommendation for Dr. Brown's bottles. DD did really well on Dr. Brown's, she was always really gassy. Good luck. Please keep us posted.
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  • ssg73ssg73
    We used the dr browns with the preemie nipple.  It worked for us.  The other thing to keep in mind is that you lo is still 37 weeks and not supposed to be born yet so he still may need a little more time to get it all together.  Ella was not getting all her feeds by bottle until she was about 38 weeks.  I know some babies get it earlier but others really do need to get to thier due date to put it all together.  They do get it though and the last part of the nicu stay was one of the most difficult.  I was just so ready to be done and home was just out of reach it drove me crazy.
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  • ShannonSkyShannonSky member

    Best advice I can give is to take a look at your breast after BFing. Then, try to pick a bottle nipple that looks as close to that as possible. DD didn't have any issues bottle feeding, but I did take into consideration the shape of my own breasts when buying nipples to try and avoid nipple confusion.

    ETA: We used Playtex Ventaire Wide.

    Also, a lot of preemies have a difficult time taking all their feeds, but usually once they start to "get it", it's like a switch flips and they can do it all the time and go home within a couple of days. Hang in there! You're almost done.

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  • ayramayram member
    My friends have all had success with the Adiri Natural Nurser, though I don't know about it's use for a preemie.  Good luck!
    Mom to 4 boys under age 6 Evan, Darren, Liam & Isaac
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  • SWR&MSMSWR&MSM
    another Dr. Brown's user here.  The preemie nipple ended up being too slow for her, but it was the only bottle out there that even had that option, that i could find anyway.  They also really helped with gas and she seemed much more comfortable after her feedings with the Dr. Browns
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  • witt0198witt0198

    I like the breast flow by first years. Just have to say how completely AWESOME it is that he's nursing that well ROCK STAR!!! It'll be awesome for your supply too, no pump can truly compare to a baby doing the job. Happy dances for you!

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  • shanlubeyshanlubey

    The problem with nipples like Dr Browns is that he gags on the length of the nipple. He likes a shorter, wider one (weird.) lol. We got him to take a full feed with a Mam bottle tonight. I cried like a baby. We went to BRU and got 6 different bottles. Mam was the first, and only one we tried and opened and it's worked. I hope it works tomorrow again. If not, we try a different bottle. But here is to hoping he likes this one for good. 

    Thanks for all the advice. These next 3 weeks involve a lot of work by Samuel if he's going to go home at full term. 

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  • lemen99lemen99 member

    Andrew took Dr Brown's bottles and BF.  I'm sorry you are having a hard time finding a good fit.

    I know that the doctor's will tell you their goal is to have LO home by their due date, but I want to caution you in having too much hope in that date.

    I didn't know about this board and I more or less assumed my 26 weeker would be home at his due date because he was doing pretty well - but then he just couldn't get feeding down (turns out due to reflux).  We were 3 weeks after his due date and it was so depressing for me. 

    I wish that I wouldn't have had that expectation, and that's the only reason I am telling you this.  Hugs to you and I hope your LO starts taking a bottle and is home very very soon!

     

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