Preemie BFing Advice Needed

[iciclechic]

My baby was born at 31 weeks and is now 7 weeks old. She takes the bottle fine- but gets frusterated at the breast. My question is- does it just click at some point? Is this a developmental thing?:banghead:
Here's What We Have Tried To Help Latch On And Increase Supply:
1)Bathing together to help let down quicken
2)Co-Sleeping "
3)Pumping for a few minutes before nursing
4) Mother's Milk Tea, Fennugreek, Blessed Thistle
5)LC (many many many LC's have helped us while in the hospital- over the course of 30 days)

My pediatrician told me that I should 'give it one more go' and go to the womens center to get more LC. And if that doesn't work then I should give up:confused: I really don't want to give it up.

Please tell me that it is deveopmental.. She only wants to eat every 3 hours- I hear of people feeding every hour and a half!:eek: That seems like many sleepless days and nights...
Thanks
Ali

[Sue2U]

I had a breastfeeding preemie too. What helped me was a nipple shield just to help with the latching on, also fenugreek helps with increasing milk.

[EmnJJsMom]

Hugs mama, you're very tough to go through such a hard thing. My DD was actually born at exactly 37 weeks, but with an immature latch. Several weeks of bleeding nipples and frustration on both ends...and it just clicked one day. My first daugther nursed every 40 minutes, but my second daughter nursed every 3-4 hours, each kiddo is just different.

I would continuing talking to the LC's and maybe try a La Leche League meeting. Lots of hugs and I hope you both get it soon.

[Thrice Blessed]

Just a thought-have you tried only giving a small portion of a bottle and then pumping to get your milk ready-depending on how long it takes before you have a let down, she may be too frustrated when hungry to wait for it-long run on sentence, but does it make sense?? It's the only thing I can think of.

My DD was fed on an ng feeding tube for 6 mos, and I pumped the entire time and she did finally take the breast full time at 6 mos-though not at all for the first 3 months, and she wasn't a preemie, but had other issues. If you have the stamina, etc, you could get her to do it, most likely. But if it's too much stress, she needs a healthy mama more-:2cents:

[3rockstars]

For us it just clicked one day. My 34weeker just decided one day that she loved her "nack" and she latched on with a vengence and didn't look back. However, it took a while to get there. Just like waiting for the suck-swallow-breathe reflex coordination, the nursing knowledge comes with time. It takes a while. My 34weeker nursed every 20 minutes for 5 minutes at a time until she was 3 months old. But I was so scared of her not getting enough calories and having to supplement(which to me would have been more work) that I let her. She did space out her nursing sessions at 3 months and went down to like every hour and a half all of a sudden. I felt like I had so much time on my hands!!!! But it just happened like that. Obviously your babe is still pretty sleepy that nursing for 30 minutes at a time(those full hospital feeds) is probably pretty impossible. But nurisng more frequently is probably a better idea. I didn't let Sara go more than 3 hours, even at night, until 6 months I think. I wanted her to prove that she was taking in enough and gaining enough weight. She continued to nurse with a PASSION until 22 months when she just told me one day that she was all done. She'd been nursing less and less and she just decided one day that that was it and she never nursed again. It's been 8 months and she remembers nursing and sometimes talks about it but doesn't want to again.
Are you having a supply issue or just a nipple confusion issue? My suggestion would be that if she's gaining weight very well I would drop all bottles. Don't be militant about her sucking needs because let's face it, she's a preemie. She's not a full-term healthy baby. But if she's got no other medical conditions and she's just got nipple confusion, I'd drop the bottles and try to get her on the breast only. LOTS of skin-to-skin contact with the sling and offer to nurse a lot during the day. DON'T offer the bottle. Make sure she's wetting enough. Pump a little to get let-down and then let her taste the milk so that she knows something is comign to her with very little work. She will eventually do it herself but if you want to exclusively breastfeed, this may be what you have to do until she realizes taht milk comes from mama, and not the bottle. Even dribbling pumped milk into her mouth via a cup is a better option than the bottle if you truly want to be rid of the bottle. Pumping and bottlefeeding is a LOT of work, I don't blame you for wanting to do only one or the other!

[tararaboomdeea]

I had a 34 weeker and we BF'd successfully for a year. :)

Have you tried a nipple shield? Since she is already used to the bottle, she should take to the shield easily. The shield worked great for us, and after about 5 weeks, I was able to start offering the breast without the shield and weaned him off of the shield.

If you try the sheild, I'd suggest you find a lactation consultant or an LLL meeting/leader in your area ASAP so they can help you find the correct size. You should be able to go to the LLL website and find a leader close to you. There are SO many choices out there. I prefer the Medela sheild.

Good Luck! Don't give up!

[iciclechic]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I am thinking that I will try the nipple shield. There is a store nearby that has on site LC and has a once a month LLL help. The nipple shield sounds good-I am not sure if I can elimanate all bottles because I have to give her vitamins and iron daily through milk. Maybe what I can do is bottle feed once a day and BF as much as possible and then offer the bottle after a frustrating 20mins? or After a sucessful BF session- with like 30 ML? When I talked to a LC they told me to BF for 15 then if she's still frusterated and not latching on then suppliment with a bottle for 30ML. Another LC told me to give her 10 ML to keep her from fussing and being frusterated then have her BF as long as possible- then suppliment with a bottle. Argh... Honestly I have a feeling that I should BF as often as possible and then suppliment with a bottle.. 10ML if she nursed for 45mins (yea! Only happened 3 times) and 30-40 if she was just fussy and barely or never latched on. What do you think?

Thanks for the stories about your preemie's- it really helps!!
Ali

P.S. I think that it is a latch on problem not a nipple confusion. She WANTS to BF- she just gets frusterated easily when she can't latch on.

[Sue2U]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I am thinking that I will try the nipple shield. There is a store nearby that has on site LC and has a once a month LLL help. The nipple shield sounds good-I am not sure if I can elimanate all bottles because I have to give her vitamins and iron daily through milk. Maybe what I can do is bottle feed once a day and BF as much as possible and then offer the bottle after a frustrating 20mins? or After a sucessful BF session- with like 30 ML? When I talked to a LC they told me to BF for 15 then if she's still frusterated and not latching on then suppliment with a bottle for 30ML. Another LC told me to give her 10 ML to keep her from fussing and being frusterated then have her BF as long as possible- then suppliment with a bottle. Argh... Honestly I have a feeling that I should BF as often as possible and then suppliment with a bottle.. 10ML if she nursed for 45mins (yea! Only happened 3 times) and 30-40 if she was just fussy and barely or never latched on. What do you think?

Thanks for the stories about your preemie's- it really helps!!
Ali

P.S. I think that it is a latch on problem not a nipple confusion. She WANTS to BF- she just gets frusterated easily when she can't latch on.



Then I def. would get the nipple shield. Sounds like it would work to me!!

ETA: Some Babies R us carries the medela nipple shields as well.

[iciclechic]

Tonight she latched on and stayed on for 45 mins!! Whoohoo!! I fed her at my IL's house with about 30ML to tide her over. Then we went home and the second I sat down she latched on-no pre pumping!!:thumbsup: Maybe she is just too hungry the other times that I try to get her to nurse. Should I still get the nipple shields?:headscratch: Or would she have to work twice as hard to suck once to get the milk out and then suck again to get it out of the shield? Would that upset her more? Thanks! its becasue you you guys that I tried to BF multiple times today and one time she had her full feeding!! Whoohoo!!
Ali

[OnlyWomanInTheHouse]

Tonight she latched on and stayed on for 45 mins!! Whoohoo!! I fed her at my IL's house with about 30ML to tide her over. Then we went home and the second I sat down she latched on-no pre pumping!!:thumbsup: Maybe she is just too hungry the other times that I try to get her to nurse. Should I still get the nipple shields?:headscratch: Or would she have to work twice as hard to suck once to get the milk out and then suck again to get it out of the shield? Would that upset her more? Thanks! its becasue you you guys that I tried to BF multiple times today and one time she had her full feeding!! Whoohoo!!
AliThat is SO great to hear!! :lostit: Def. call your local leader, even before the meeting. Just the meetings are once a month, leaders can help all of the time! :mrgreen: Come on over to the LLL Mother to Mother forum (http://forums.llli.org/), we'd love to have you!

[Ali]

Tonight she latched on and stayed on for 45 mins!! Whoohoo!! I fed her at my IL's house with about 30ML to tide her over. Then we went home and the second I sat down she latched on-no pre pumping!!:thumbsup: Maybe she is just too hungry the other times that I try to get her to nurse. Should I still get the nipple shields?:headscratch: Or would she have to work twice as hard to suck once to get the milk out and then suck again to get it out of the shield? Would that upset her more? Thanks! its becasue you you guys that I tried to BF multiple times today and one time she had her full feeding!! Whoohoo!!
Ali

That is awesome that you got her to latch!!! I truly hope it works out. :goodvibes:

BTW- We have two things in common (our name- including spelling) and we both had preemies (my son was a 28 weeker). Unfortunatly he was hospitalized for over 2 months and I was never able to get him to latch and know how frustrating it can be. I exclusively pumped until my supply ran dry.

[iciclechic]

Thanks Jessica and Ali! I'll be visiting the LLL board shortly!

[kalebnlillismomma]

My baby was born at 31 weeks and is now 7 weeks old. She takes the bottle fine- but gets frusterated at the breast. My question is- does it just click at some point? Is this a developmental thing?:banghead:
Here's What We Have Tried To Help Latch On And Increase Supply:
1)Bathing together to help let down quicken
2)Co-Sleeping "
3)Pumping for a few minutes before nursing
4) Mother's Milk Tea, Fennugreek, Blessed Thistle
5)LC (many many many LC's have helped us while in the hospital- over the course of 30 days)

My pediatrician told me that I should 'give it one more go' and go to the womens center to get more LC. And if that doesn't work then I should give up:confused: I really don't want to give it up.

Please tell me that it is deveopmental.. She only wants to eat every 3 hours- I hear of people feeding every hour and a half!:eek: That seems like many sleepless days and nights...
Thanks
Ali

My first preemie, my DS, didn't nurse properly until his actual due date. I don't think I slept for that whole month, neither did DH. I would try to get him to latch, then I would pump, while DH gave him a bottle. DD was very quick to latch, though she had an improper latch for a bit. It does get better!

[iciclechic]

Thanks for the encouragement! So- you tried to latch and then she/he wouldn't and so Dh would bottle the expressed milk? Did you LO's get fussy and frusterated at the breast sometimes? Or were they not interested in the breast at first? Ok.. I think its late and I'm tired.. One hour to go until next feeding! Thanks

[3rockstars]

I don't think I would bother gettin the shields if she's nursing now. Maybe she just needed time and you needed encouragement to help her get there. Maybe it just "clicked" for her! Congrats on the nursing sessions! That's wonderful!:goodvibes:

[AddysMama]

you do NOT need to use a bottle to suppliment and give vites. etc through
check into getting an SNS or Lact-Aid system to suppliment her at the breast.
the more bottles she has the less she is going to want the breast as they are a completely different feel in her mouth.
also look into finding an IBCLC (international board certified lasctation consultant) as most hospital lactation consultants are worth their weight in crap when it comes to REAL advice for REAL problems, like preemies, or BFAR.
get yourself to a LLL meeting and meet with an IBCLC, and get an at the breast supplimenter. and feed more often than every three hours. offer every hour. and do lots of skin to skin contact.

[motherof2]

Stay away from bottles! They will only make the problem worse! Try oatmeal for increase in milk supply.

[iciclechic]

I called my LLL leader and she redered me to several LC's. I spoke ot one yesterday and se was so rude! She told me that she'd come out to my house (which is 10 minutes away from her) for $200 per hour!!:yuck: The proceeded to tell me that I would probably not be ale to BF because it might be too late!! I feel so disappointed- frusterated and angry. I am pumping every 2 hours and doing everything to get my milk ready for DD. She latched on once every other day- and so I don't think that it is hopeless!!
Please tell me I'm not crazy for trying!! :banghead:
Ali

[Kathkath]

check your pm
I just pmmed you...

[homebirthmom]

I had a preemie too. The bottle screwed everything up. I would pump and dropper feed or use an SNS if needed. I also say a nipple sheild will help if baby is frustrated that you are too soft. just cut off the tip to get more milk and over a few days or a week cut if off more and more till there is no sheild left. BUT you mustn't use a bottle in between since you are reteaching her what feeding is all about.

its not useless trying. A baby who is adopted at 10 months cam learn to breastfeed, why can't a new baby?

LL leaders who say that should not be working. I was a Midwife for 10 years, I have seen it all. You CAN do it. if you live within 3 hours of me I will come over for FREE! ; )

[meghann8]

You're not crazy for trying. Even if she just does one feeding a day at the breast that's better than nothing. My dd was a 31 weeker too and has been EBF for a long time now. (she's 11 months old!) I think once she learned to latch I just took the plunge and EBF'ed her, keeping a close eye on her diapers, making sure she was wetting enough. I'd pump sometimes if I was too engorged to help her latch on.

It may be that she just gets too frustrated when she is really hungry. With BF, they have to work to get that milk out. Maybe try just putting her on the breast when she really isn't hungry to get the practice?

[iciclechic]

Heather- you are too sweet!:goodvibes:

Meghann- I appreciate you advice I tried your method today- some recreational BFing might be just what we needed!:thumbsup:

Thanks everyone! I have a LC on Wednesday and they told me to bring everything- SNS and BF pillow.. they have nipple shields there to purchase if that is what is needed.. My SNS is on its way!:loveit:
I'll post an update when I can. Thank you everyone for your support.. Wish us luck!!:yay:

BTW: Thats amazing about an adopted 10 month old!!

Ali

[kissum]

One more suggestion that I didn't see (I didn't read carefully though). Have you tried wearing her in a sling up close to your breast, with your breast exposed??
Then there is no "pressure" to nurse, but you can offer it to her a lot, etc.
We had a rough start nursing in the beginning and that made a big difference for us. :D

[iciclechic]

Ohh good idea.. We'll try that today.. I have a Moby and a Peanut Shell.. I'll try it with the PS first..since I need a partner to help with the Moby. Thanks!
Ali

[dvrgrl38]

Don't give up!
I don't have a preemie, but i had a baby that was in the special care nursery for a week so she had bottles before i could try to breast feed.

I think the biggest problem is the frustration of getting milk so quickly/easily from a bottle, while having to work at it at the breast. My babe would try to latch a few times and get frustrated because nothing came out fast enough.

For us, what worked was to use a nipple shield along with a curved plastic syringe to inject formula/breastmilk into her mouth as she tried to latch. Just that little squirt of milk was enough to encourage her to latch. And then when she would get frustrated, squirt in a little more milk.
After about a week we were able to remove the shield after she latched on initially, but still had to use the syringe a few times. The important thing is that she is sucking on your nipple (even with the syringe). So she is getting that feel while also stimulating you to produce more milk.

We had an sns and that was great too, but we found it easier to use the syringe. I definately think you should still get a shield and keep trying to feed while supplimenting using the sns or a syringe.

It does work, you just need to be persistant. Every feeding is a challenge, but they do get easier. My babe is now a champion nurser and can even latch on while we are laying down.

And about that lc the lll leader recommended, thats horrible! I would definately tell the lll leader about your experience. She probably will not recommend her again.

We're here if you need support!

[dvrgrl38]

One more thing, get a small nipple shield since your babe probably has a tiny mouth. We had more success with latching with the medela X-Small shield than the small or medium ones.

[bebeboy03]

Ok, I saw this thread and I just had to post. My son was born at 32 weeks and was BF from day 2. Now by BF I mean they "let" me BF at the NICU. At first he was fed his bottle for his nourishment and then I was "allowed" to BF him as a topper. Then it went to me BF and then the nurse would make a bottle depending on how well I think he ate and the bottle was the topper. I was at the NICU every 3 hours all day every day to feed him. THere were days when he would refuse to nurse period. He didnt want any part of it. So the LC at the hospital gave me a nipple shield to try and it worked great!! Since his mouth was so small it was hard for him to get all of my breast in his mouth, but the shield was easier for him to get the milk out. He was in the NICU for almos 3 weeks and when he came home I stopped using the nipple shield. He is still BF and he is 3 month old now and has been gaining 3lbs per month since birth.

There were definitely days when I wanted to give up, especially when he was refusing to nurse. But one of the nurses at the NICU really made me stick with it. SHe said to me one day when he was refusing, "BF is a 2 person job. You are doing everything right, he is the one not doing his job. Just stick with it and he will get it and start doing his job." I stuck with it and we havent looked back. It will happen, just give it time and give your LO time. They are trying to do so many things and learning how to get by out here and growing. I promise you that your LO will come around and will get the hang of BF! One day it will seem as though they have BF all along and you will have no problems. Just stick with it!! :)

[iciclechic]

UPDATE:this week we did it!!! I'm on reglan and boom she's on. thanks for all of your support-it was needed!!:thankyou: :thankyou: and guess what im doing?
NAK!!!:lostit:

[mommyto3girls]

That is great! However, there are some yucky side effects for you with Reglan, it crosses your blood brain barrier and can cause depression. Its sister drug is Domperidone, basically the same thing but does not cross the blood brain barrier. It is available at compounding pharmacies but the easiest way and cheapest is to order from New Zealand. I have been on it for 15 months now.

Here is info on Domperidone for milk production http://www.inhousepharmacy.com/general/motilium-milk-production.html

Here is how to order, no prescription needed and it is not illegal though customs can sieze the package, if they do inhousepharmacy will replace for free. http://www.inhousepharmacy.com/general/motilium.html

If you would like to try it I can send you a bubble sheet of it (25 pills)

[slomom]

My daughter was born at 35 weeks and had trouble with breastfeeding due to her immature lungs and "Breathe, Suck, Swallow" reflex. The LC's at the hospital had me pumping every two hours at first and let me reduce to every 3-4 hours once I filled both collection bottles to the top. I went to the LC at the breastfeeding clinic and got her latched on using the football hold. We've been breastfeeding ever since and she's 15 mos old now.

But I just read your update and I'm glad you're finally able to bf! :thumbsup:

[abbycadabby]

It does eventually just click, but it might be a tiny while after her due date, so don't give up! My 35 weeker got EBF in a bottle for his first 7 weeks. Then he latched, like a little miracle. For me the important thing was to attempt to latch every single time before he got the bottle. We'd try for 10-15 minutes, then bottle time, then pump. It was exhausting, but it worked. He latched magically at 7 weeks old and nursed till 15 mos!

Good luck momma! :hugs:

[kalebnlillismomma]

It didn't click with DS until his due date. I can remember how frustrating it can be. I would try to nurse him and then hand him over to DH so I could pump and feed him a bottle. Hang in there!:hugs:

[meghann8]

UPDATE:this week we did it!!! I'm on reglan and boom she's on. thanks for all of your support-it was needed!!:thankyou: :thankyou: and guess what im doing?
NAK!!!:lostit:

:yay: :celebrate: