1 week old 35.4 wk preemie won't latch

erinel · January 2014

Hi everyone-
I'm new here, have read other boards on The Bump, but haven't posted.
My situation is that my son who was born about a week ago at 35.4 weeks is very difficult to feed. The biggest issue is waking him up/keeping him awake for any amount of time. We undress him to feed, change his diaper before starting, and try to stimulate him while we try to feed him, but our attempts are ineffective, and it seems almost like his feeding is getting worse. I consulted a lactation consultant to help, and she gave me a few tips that I've employed, but if he won't even wake up to latch on, then the tips are pointless.
We are also using a bottle with my breast milk to help him get something down, but even getting him to take that is an hour long endeavor, and he only finishes about 1/2 the time.
Any advice on getting him to wake up and stay awake to nurse?

mommatotwo2 · January 2014

Congrats on your new LO

It's so hard with a preemie. My first was a 35 weeker and we had the same issue. It's good that you've contacted an LC. Excellent idea to give him the pumped milk. Try making smaller bottles so you aren't wasting the milk if he's only taking half.

Try tickling his feet, taking his hat off during feedings (if he is wearing one), kiss his hands, rub his head. Just keep stimulating him to wake up and eat and if he falls asleep, just keep trying again. Set up a snack and water station near you so you can spend a lot of each day just offering the breast.

Good luck and keep up the good work!!

Asivec · January 2014

Good job breastfeeding! I know you are exhausted.

Remember the stomach is small. Your LO doesn't need much. Are there enough dirty/wet diapers?

Are you feeding every 2 hours from the start of the last feed?

Have you done a weighted feed (weigh on a accurate scale, feed, then weigh again to see intake) to know what LO is able to get if they do latch?

To keep LO awake: blow gently on the face, tickle toes, tickle back, rub gently on head, movement (in a rocking chair).

You are doing great!

Here is a great resource for you:
https://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/enough-milk/

StephandMatt2012 · January 2014

My gf nursed her baby in the bath tub said it helped keep her awake not that you want to get in the bath everytime but might be worth a shot

christaela · January 2014

I was in the same boat. My daughter was born at 35 weeks and she was a sleepy preemie and wouldn't latch. For the first 5 weeks I had to pump and bottle feed. I did make a point to offer the breast a couple times a day and at least try. It was right around the 5 week mark and right around her actually due date that she was able to latch and had the energy to suck properly. Then she nursed like a newborn for the next several weeks which can be exhausting but gets better! She is now 4 months and exclusively breastfed. So don't give up. Stick with it he will come around.

slh6363 · January 2014

35 weeker here too and exact same problem! So sorry no real advice other than keep it up! I actually ended up EPing bc of it. Not recommending you do that, just saying it could lead to LO wanting the bottle and not wanting to nurse. I know it's so hard w a preemie you have to make sure they are getting plenty of calories and sometimes the only choice is bottle. GL!

erinel · January 2014

Thanks all! We have tried some of those things to try to wake him, but we will keep trying!
It is encouraging to hear that some preemies will start being able to latch and actually breast feed closer to their due dates, that gives me hope!

buckeyebride22 · January 2014

My DR was 36 weeks and just like you described. She would occasionally latch. I worked with lactation a lot. I actually work in OB so I was in contact with them daily. If she was too sleepy to wake up to try then I just pumped and fed her an oz and froze the rest. If she was awake I'd try to latch. After like 15 min if she didn't get it then I pumped and fed like above. It took a week and now she is EBF. I know its so frustrating but don't give up. Its so worth all the tears when they get it.

BLPL101 · January 2014

My DD was born at 35 weeks and wouldn't latch either. Tried for 2 months! I have been EPing for 13 months. It's hard and I don't recommend it, but it isn't impossible. GL! I know how challenging it is.

karah4816 · January 2014

My twins were born at 34 weeks and we has the same problem. I ended up using a nipple shield because it was easier for them to latch onto. It really was a life saver. Now at almost 2 months old we are successfully weaning them off of the shield and they are nursing like champs. Just be sure that if you go that route you are using the shields properly and are prepared to wean them off of them when possible.

babygiantquest · January 2014

Have you thought about syringe feeding? We had to supplement (formula and what little milk I could pump) the first three weeks with my son, and we used a syringe to avoid nipple confusion while we worked on his latch. It sounds like it could work for you, especially if he's not taking much at a time, anyway.

drowe214 · January 2014

My son was 37 weeks and we had this problem. I would get him naked to eat as you said but also use a damp wash cloth to wake him up. Also, that first week I used little plastic tubes of sugar water to squirt on my nipples to bribe him into latching, it was pretty effective. LO is now 12 weeks and is EBF. Good luck, keep trying!

erinel · January 2014

I really appreciate all of your advice. It turns out that my son has a bad virus, and we were admitted to a level 3 nicu yesterday. This explains at least part of why he is so sleepy, and by the time they release us in a week or so, he should be doing much better. In the mean time I am pumping, and we are giving him a bottle with breast milk and then finishing up with a feeding tube for whatever he doesn't eat.