Feeding a very sleepy preemie

[LadyRenoir]

Our baby boy was born at 36 weeks. He spent a few days on ICU in incubator fed through a tube. First times he was fed with a bottle only took a few mills. Now we manage to force down a bit more, but he spends most days sleeping and hardly ever calls or cries for food. As partially as we dont manage to give him enough food, the jaundice indicator went up and poor little guy will need a treatment which will make him even drowsier... and it's breaking my heart.
How have people coped/managed slow feeders? Any tricks you used? How long did it last before they started feeding normally and became more alert?

[FruitCider]

My child had jaundice as a baby. I fed them very frequently - every 90 minutes in the day and every 2 hours at night. I used to strip them down to their nappy to wake them up.

[LadyRenoir]

Yeah, but ours literally sometimes reacts to nothing. Tickling, undressing, changing nappies, poking cheeks- midwives in hospital gave us some tips but sometimes he only goes as far as half a bottle. And even then feeds looking asleep...

[Figrollsnotfatrolls]

Naked baby wrapped in your dressing gown with you also naked blanket over on the sofa!! Worked with ds born @35 weeks and sent home at 4-12!!

[talesandfailsofmummylife]

Hi there,
Our son was born at 31+2 and spent 4.5 weeks in NICU.

I remember it taking us literally and hour to get 30mls down him. He would stop halfway through a feed and change his nappy to wake him up and strip him down to his vest so he didn't get too cosy and comfy. Also the position you use to feed him. We would hold him out in front of us, like laying in your forearm and supporting his neck with our hand. We also found that the NUK bottles worked best when he was small and he couldn't cope with the bigger size teats.

It's so hard at this stage but know it will get better. As long as they are putting on weight!

Good luck
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