Are full term but early babies more difficult to BF that full term late babies?

[pastalady]

Just wondered really if anyone found it harder to get babies born around the 37ish week mark to latch on and feed well than babies born after 40ish weeks.

Just wondered what other peoples experiences were and if I should be prepared for another BF battle if this next one is early.

I'm due in 5 weeks. My first baby was born at just 38 weeks and was difficult to BF - although I am certain that was the drugs/icky high forceps delivery/no skin on skin/seperation from me etc - so I guess its something I'm a bit worried about. At least I have XP on my side this time though!

ds 38+0, sleepy and jaundiced, bf difficult but (I think) mainly because of bad advice - bf got back on track and still bf to this day

It's possible that he found it more difficult to get the hang of bf because of being small - was 6lb 2, so quite amall even for his gestation - and having a small mouth, but the sleepiness might have had more to do with the epidural, long labour etc.

I am a midwife and would say that yes this is probably true. Having as much skin to skin contact as possible as soon as poss should help. Of course some early babies are perfect feeders and some late ones have difficulties though.

I had 1 3 days late, 1 2 weeks early and 1 bang on time. All fed the same.