Tube feeding amounts

[NoRoomForALittleOne]

This may seem like a strange question but does anyone know how much milk is given for a first tube feed if necessary? I can remember from DC1 being tube fed that the amount was based on her weight and the amount increased each day. But I can't remember how much the first feed was.

I'm asking because I'm expressing colostrum antenatally and would like to take enough in for a first feed just in case the worst comes to the worst. I have gestational diabetes and group B strep so I know there is a chance that baby will be on the neonatal unit. Donor milk is available but it is an hour away and first feed needs to be within 30 minutes. I'm being induced on Wednesday at 37 weeks when baby is estimated to be about 8lb 10oz (yes, I know this may be way out). I've just managed to happily express 6ml in one sitting so I'm not struggling with the expressing.

Just wondering how much would constitute a full first feed to line this baby's gut before anything else goes in

The link below says 7ml
www.babycentre.co.uk/x553873/how-much-milk-does-my-baby-need-in-the-first-few-days

So if you are getting 6ml per expression you are doing really well. I did the same for DD born 2 weeks ago at 36+4 and had 12ml in total and they were pleased I had brought that in. She was 5lb3oz at birth and SCBU had her on 4hourly feeds of 35ml formula plus whatever I could express. On day 3 my milk came in and I had plenty to switch her over to expressed milk while we learnt to breastfeed.

It's the 35ml of formula that I'm hoping to avoid for the first feed. Mind you, I don't understand how they even fit 35ml in to a newborn's stomach. I would have thought that 7ml of colostrum would be enough without the extra formula given the size of a newborn's stomach and how calorific colostrum is. I didn't understand the amounts 8 years ago and I still don't now!

We usually start day 1 at 60mls per kg per day for a term baby but a first feed may well be considerably less than that. Will you be able to do skin-to-skin if all goes well to see if baby latches?

I'm definitely hoping to feed baby directly but if it doesn't work out I'd like to be able to give my milk for the first feed. I also have tried to reassure DH that if anything happens to me, he will be able to do skin-to-skin and someone will help him feed the baby my milk for the first feed.

And thank you for the 60mls/kg/day info - invaluable!

I guess that means that a 4kg baby on 3 hourly feeds would need 30ml if the feeds are equal in size each time?

Your DH would absolutely be encouraged to do skin-to-skin and feed the baby at the hospital I work in if anything were to happen (but I am sure you'll be fine). Good luck, I hope all goes well for you.

If baby doesn't tolerate the 60ml/kg we would titrate down to 30mls/kg for the first few feeds but we keep a close eye on blood sugar levels.

Yes, 30mls per feed

Ds was 3lb 12 and was definitely given 7 ml for his first feed.