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Preemies
Torn about how to handle feeding...
I want to nurse. We tried last night, just to see if he'd act interested and he did. He sucked 10-15 times in about 30 mins and was really attempting to latch.
However, several of the nurses have
told me that bottle fed babies generally come home sooner than breast
fed babies. Just because getting letdown from the boob is hard. I plan
on working so, he'll be getting some bottles anyway. Also, I was told
he'd have to have 2 bottles of neosure a day when he goes home as well.
So, it isn't like he'll never be getting a bottle.
They
keep telling me it is my decision. Honestly, that is the hardest part.
It would be easier if they would just tell me what to do!
Anyone have any guidance? Should I scrap even trying to nurse? The thought of doing that makes me super sad.
Born at 31w3d due to severe IUGR & Placental Insufficiency--2lbs 3ounces
We'll miss you sweet Debbie Girl (4.21.12) and sweet Cindy Girl (8.9.12)
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Torn about how to handle feeding...
I had a very similar situation and here is what we did--
First we introduced non-nutrition breastfeeding where I would pump and then allow C to latch, suck, etc to get the feeling of nursing without being overwhelmed by milk. This was followed by a full tube feed.
When she was showing that she could latch well, we moved on to supplemented breastfeeding where I would feed her as much as she tolerated and then we fully supplemented with the tube feed. About this time we introduced one bottle feed a day as well.
After it was clear that she was draining my breasts consistently, we started adding breastfeeds without supplementation. If I felt like she did not do well, we could supplement based on my decision.
From there as we replaced one tube feed at a time with PO feeds, we focused on adding breastfeeding for the times I was there and bottle feeding for the times I was not. Basically that meant by the end she got all breastfeeding on day shift and bottles at night. We did make sure both DH and I were comfortable bottle feeding as well so that we could bottle feed at home. We also started weaning her off the supplement and gave her EBM only bottles.
She came home only on breastmilk, no supplementation needed because the doctors and nutrition team could see that my breastmilk was enough for her since we had done so much of it in the hospital and she was still gaining. She still gets at least one bottle a day mixed with her vitamins which my DH gives her.
Breastfeeding in the NICU is hard so don't feel bad if you need to do both bottles and breast to get to discharge and then work on more breastfeeding times at home. If its important to you, you can do it--it just takes a lot of work. Be sure to tell your LO's team that you want to breastfeed as much as possible and they will likely work with you. I found lots of support on this board as we were making this transition.
Good luck!
Our precious girl, born at 27 weeks.
It is a hard decision, and one you really need to make since there in no right answer. It sounds to me that you really want to give it a shot. I do know some friends (with micropreemies) who didn't bf much in the NICU but then built it up after they got home and their LOs got bigger, so that is an option too (maybe do it once or twice a day in the NICU, and then build it up after you get home.)
I was the opposite of you - didn't even want to try it. I was so focused on getting him home, and had always been kind of ambivelent about BF, so it was pretty easy for me to decide (ironically, I did get pressure to do it though - finally I had them put a note on his chart to stop asking me!) I pumped for 5 months, and had enough frozen for him to get bm for over 6 months and I was ok with that. Pumping became much more of a pain after he got home though, and if I was bf he probably would have gotten bm much longer.
I think the issue with bf in the NICU is that it often slows down weight gain, b/c they are working harder to get the milk, and sometimes getting less of it...so it becomes a bit of a ripple effect and it takes longer for them to get home. I wish I had more advice for you - I think you just have to follow your gut. and it sounds like right now that is telling you to keep trying to BF. You can always switch back to all bottles if it isn't working out or your not happy with her progress. ((HUGS))
Gabe isn't ready to take bottle feeds yet (they wouldn't start that until sometime next week--if that). But your story is what is sticking with me for sure. As soon as he hist 4lbs is when they think he'll be able to start some more of his feeds by bottle/breast.
Getting him home is more important to me than breast feeding, but I have to admit I am a little heart broken by the thought of not being able to breast feed. If we do bottle feeds I may try to do some breast feeding sessions once he gets home. We'll see I suppose...
We'll miss you sweet Debbie Girl (4.21.12) and sweet Cindy Girl (8.9.12)
Our situation was different than most. Sam would NOT bottle feed. I had over 1000 oz in a deep freeze and he wouldn't take it no matter what. l tried to nurse a few times and eventually, he latched (with a shield) and was EBF on discharge. No one believed in us, not a nurse or doctor. But they let me give it a shot (with two 55 ounce bottles on Neosure a day) and we did it. We transitioned to bottles now (for my own reasons) but I am glad we EBF and now he still gets that BM I have in the freeze.
It's worth trying, but don't get discouraged if it doesn't work out.
I was heavily encouraged to nurse at the NICU- however I was already EPing and my boys really liked the bottle. So I decided to EP. It too is a lot of work, but I don't think I could have nursed them excusively. My boys got mostly BM but we were told to supplement neosure - 2 oz a bottle. My guys went from a little over 5 lbs to over 17 bs at 6 months. I weaned at 6 months- and then transitioned to regular formula.
Do what is best for your little guy and your family- don't feel that you have to justify your decision to anyone.
I had the same issue and ended up going with bottle feeding. I did not want nipple confusion delaying progress...it was hard enough to get DS to understand the difference between the pacifier and bottle. DD has a cleft palate to at this point BF isn't and option for her either.
With twins I couldn't keep up with the pump alone so at two months once they both reached full feeds I quite.
Need help with high fat food ideas? Chunky Monkey
Katie ,I am totally in the same boat. Before Tyler came along, I was determined that I was only going to pump and supplement with formula. Then the first time he did skin to skin time, he cuddled up with me and nuzzled and looked right at me and it was the most precious thing ever. Today the nurse just assumed I was going to BF and just kind of told me that a LC was going to come in on Saturday to show me how it's done and didn't ask. She asked me this while Tyler was cuddled up with me during skin to skin time and this guilt set in thinking how could I say "no, I''m not BF but thanks anyway" while I am here holding my son like I am "denying" him.
I figured I will just go with it so I can at least learn. That way when I get home it will just be me with no nurses/pressure and if it's something I want to try, I will know how ( or decide it was way too hard and just stick to EP). I do still plan on pumping since I want dad to be able to help with feedings. I just never thought I'd ever BF (or want to). Crazy how things change once you see him for yourself. Once he gets a little bigger in NICU and I still don't like it, maybe it will be easier to just tell everyone I prefer bottle feeding since BF is too hard?
::Sigh::
Tyler is going to be a big brother!
Personally, I'd keep at it. Pump if he ends up taking formula (to keep your supply up). He will eventually be able to nurse just fine, it's just hard now. DS was 35wks and it took him a little while to learn how to nurse and I'm so glad I stuck with it. I adore BFing... Like way more than I thought I would.
If the thought of not nursing makes you sad, then keep doing it. That's your answer.
I think this is great advice. It won't be easy but it sounds like he is already doing a great job if he is latching and sucking. He'll learn and you will learn-it does get easier. Maybe you will go home with both bottles and breastfeeding. Keep at it if it is really what you want, and take advantage of all the help you have at the hospital while you are there.
Our precious girl, born at 27 weeks.
All of this!
DD was started on bottles. When she came home I was trying to bf her, but then DH gave her a bottle after to make sure she was getting enough food. After a few weeks it clicked and then a few months later she started rejecting bottles. She still nurses twice a day and loves it!
BFP(4) DD2 born 2.14.13 @ 35w5d due to pPROM
When LO was in the NICU they only had me attempt BF once a day and follow with a bottle to make sure she was getting enough. There was only once or twice that she didn't take the bottle afterwards. However, once we got home I thought I would try BF again. I worked with our ped and followed her advice about how often to BF and to bottle feed. We added several additional weight checks and It took about 6 weeks but she nurses like a champ now. Basically my point, like others, is that don't assume because you don't BF now that you won't be able to. Good luck!