Readers Respond: NICU Breastfeeding Tips and Suggestions

If you have some words of wisdom to share with others, please do so here.

34 WEEKS N 5 DAYS

Our baby came early just shy of 35 weeks! PUMP PUMP PUMP! Thats all I gotta say, freeze it and thaw when u need it! Our baby was only on I.V. For two days, no mama milk or bonding time yet :( as soon as he was born they took him away :( I wish I could have held him asap! But they needed to do tests! Next time baby staying with me and they can test him when he is on my chest!!! Anyways pump and store when you get the chance, feed as often for as long as you like or until baby falls asleep or is satisfied! Refuse formula, for premies mama's milk is easer to digest adding to your milk is ok tho! Some need extra calories. DONT GIVE UP !!! Pray for God to give u a full rest, when u know you'll be up soon time and time again :)

—Guest Nani J.

for Isham

I have a 32 week preterm baby. One of his NICU nurses suggested using a nipple shield to help my baby latch and adjust from the bottle that he was getting in the hospital. They are sold in most stores. I hope this helps!

—Guest megan

You can do it!

I put a lot of my anxious energy into pumping while my son (born at 29 weeks) was in the hospital and I was healing from a c-section. Do to that, I had an oversupply. Thankfully, my son latched right away when we started breastfeeding once a day in the hospital at 33 weeks. He came home the next week and we slowly added feedings. After two weeks, at just 34 weeks gestation, he was fully breastfeeding and I didn't need to pump to keep up my supply. A lot of this was thanks to my pediatrician who is very pro-breastfeeding and encouraged me to continue adding feedings as long as he was taking them well and peeing and pooping regularly. Nursing a preemie is tough stuff. I nursed every 3 hours around the clock for until he was about 4 months old and started doing a 4 hour stretch at night every now and then. I did have someone give him a bottle of pumped milk some so I could get some sleep. At times, I felt really crazy from the lack of sleep. I am glad to have stuck to it though.

—Guest Grace

Don't Give Up

10 days ago we recieved our 35 week old baby girl. We weren't expecting her to be this early. I started pumping right away, only drops in the beging. Like rudie2 said be stubborn has paid off. I fully supply my baby girl with breast milk. Pumping every 2-3 hrs keeps the milk coming in. Don't give up ladies its all worth it.

—Guest marielena

Same Problem

I delivered my baby during 34 weeks. I'm unable to feed her as my nipple was very small for her to latch but she has been feeding my milk thru hand pump ... pls suggest me what should be done so that I'll be able to feed her.

—Guest ishan

Breast Feeding Premature Babies

Wonderful experience with micro preemie - 23 weeks - doing great....all breast milk and breastfeeding. Let me know if I can help.

—Guest maxine

Great Article!

When my baby daughter arrived early at 33 weeks, we were NOT prepared! Breastfeeding was the only option I had considered, but doing that in a special care nursery was daunting! Two pieces of great advice I will reiterate are: 1. rent a hospital-grade pump - they are more expensive, but your insurance company may reimburse you. 2. Utilize the lactation consultant. My own advice? Don't give up! You CAN breastfeed your early arrival! I certainly got discouraged (especially pumping at home at 3am with baby in the hospital), but my stubbornness paid off. By 5 weeks, my daughter was breastfeeding exclusively (no gavage, no breastmilk by bottle) and I continued breastfeeding until she was 15 months! I am proud to say that she never even tasted formula. She is now 18 months and healthy as a horse. However, if you must supplement, don't see it as a sign of failure. Every drop of breastmilk you give your preemie is a gift!

—rudie2