Breastfeeding premature babies
Having a premature is an enormous shock and caring for your newborn in the first few months will be very different from how you imagined it would be, especially if he has to spend time in a neonatal intensive care unit.
The good news is that you can still do many of the things you originally planned – including breastfeeding – even if your baby has been born very early.
Breast milk is the best form of nutrition for your baby, offering protection against germs via your own antibodies. It’s also easier for babies to tolerate than formula milk. Your milk is especially valuable to your preemie because his immune system is particularly weak and it’ll boost his defenses against illness, while the growth hormones encourage them to develop in those vital first few months.
If your baby has been born very early he may not be able to latch on for some time and will have to be fed through a tube. With supervision from the nurses it may be possible for you to help with tube feeding your baby. This can help you bond and your baby’s progress will demonstrate how much he’s benefiting from your milk. In order that your baby can be tube fed, you’ll need to collect your milk through a process called expressing. When your baby suckles at your breast this triggers the milk ducts in your breast to let down milk – expressing does the same.
You can opt to use a breast pump (these can be hand or power-operated) or express by hand – generally you’ll get more milk faster with a power pump that can be used on both breasts simultaneously. Having to express milk can sometimes feel like more pressure at an already emotional time. However, it is important to remember that no matter how much or little milk you’re able to express, your baby will benefit.
As soon as your baby’s condition stabilizes, you and your partner will likely be encouraged to practice ‘kangaroo care’, which means holding and cuddling your baby ‘skin-to-skin’, which will build your bond, make your baby feel warm and secure and, in your case, gradually prepare your baby for proper breastfeeding and stimulate your body to produce milk.
Eventually, when your baby is well enough, you’ll be able to feed him directly from your breast – but don’t expect too much from that first feed, as premature babies tire easily and must gradually learn to suckle. Even if he doesn’t feed initially, he’ll still benefit from being close to you and the taste and smell of the milk expressed onto your nipple will encourage him to try latching on.
Deciding to breastfeed your premature baby is a big commitment, which will take dedication, support, encouragement and strength from everyone involved. It’ll test you physically and emotionally – but it can be extremely rewarding. By breastfeeding you’re giving your newborn something so valuable – a good start early in life, and the best chance of growing into a healthy happy baby.
La Leche League (http://www.llli.org/) has information and advice on breastfeeding premature babies.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.