Prem baby not taking to BFing

[rascal1979]

My baby was born 9 weeks early and has been having EBM since about day 3. However despite trying to breast feed for over 3 weeks we don't seem to be progressing. She has latched on a few times and sucked 3-5 times but that's it. I try her to the breast upto 3 times a day when she is about to/being tube fed. She will hold my nipple inher mouth and suck /lick the milk or just let it flow into her mouth and then swallow bits but not actually breastfeeding properly.

I'm starting to get really despondant as other mums inthe unit seem to be doing far better at actually feeding.

She is now 36 wks gestation (5 weeks old) and weighs 3lb 2oz. The nurses just keep saying that she is small and she will do it eventually but I'm starting to worry that she won't.

Anyone else had a similar situation with a happy ending! or does it look like she won't be able to feed?

Rascal,

You are doing just fine. Go on you own instinct as you are her mum and youk now best. If she is sleeping for 5hours after a 6minute feed then she has obviously taken enough. My dd2 rarely fed as long as 6 minutes and gained loads of weight.

Does she gulp and struggle to keep up with the flow of your milk?

Have a look at this link..

Forceful letdown

this link shows some different positions to try and slow down the milk flow if this is what is causing her to be sick..

Hi

Babyrascal seems fine with the letdown - which can be quite forceful - in that she doesn't struggle to take the milk and doesn't gasp or anything. Since I've been taking her off after 4-6 min to wind her she seems to be coping better with feeding and not being as sick. She sometimes goes back on after winding but not always.

My latest stress is that I'm concerned about her latch - she doesn't seem to open her mouth as fully as she did previously but she is still feeding and I can hear her sucking and swallowing as well as before. Is this okay? I've heard that babies can nipple feed rather than breast feed and this can lead to them not getting as much of the hind milk as they need....which obviously concerns me cos babyrascal needs those calories!

Sometime she 'clicks' a couple of times in a feed like she has lost suction but immediately stops and carries on feeding - is this normal or a sign that her latch isn't as good as it used to be?

She still has a wet nappy at each feed and usually a dirty one at least for two thirds of all nappy changes (about 5-7 a day)

I'm seeing my HV tomorrow and want to go to BF support group on Thurs but I'm a little concerned as I've been told not to take her near other babies/children too much as she has low immunity at the moment and any bugs could be a disaster.

Feeling a bit 'wobbley' today as this is my first day completely alone as DH has gone back in work today. That said she has been perfect baby in that she has fed at 8am, 10.25am, 1.15pm and 4.40pm and slept inbetween so she hasn't been any trouble at all. Also today she has not really been sick except for a couple of spits after each feed.

Sorry for all the questions but having a bit of a stress today

babyrascal and you seem to be doing just perfectly. As long as she is having enough wet and dirty nappies (which she is) and if your nipples are not damaged.. and if she is gaining weight.. you have no need to worry. Relax and enjoy her every moment.. it passes to quickly to be stressing about it.

Trust in your ability to be a mother, your instinct should never let you down.

Thanks determination (aka the voice of sanity and reason!)

We've had another feed at 6.15pm and a lovely 30 min of playing which has been great. Daddy's home now having a cuddle so I can have 5 min to myself.

HV finally been to see us and has left me feeling

HV asked if DD was okay and if I was. Said yes that she was putting on 2oz a week and the BF co-ordinator is fine with this etc. He said that he isn't and would expect more gain. He said that DD should be feeding for 20 min each feed any less than that and she is only getting foremilk and won't gain as much. DD only feeds for 5-15 min max. BF co-ordinator has said that DD will take what she wants and not to clock watch as this isn't reliable to what she is having. I have a fast letdown and good milk flow so she takes a fair amount quite easily.

He was talking about topping up with EBM or formula if she is failing to thrive in 4 wks time and refering her to paediatrics etc. But added 'But I know you are against bottles' I am NOT against bottles. What I was against is people trying to force me into bottle feeding my DD when I was/am trying to establish Breastfeeding.

In the end I was in tears - first time since leaving NICU - and just feel really deflated about the whole thing.

OH Rascal,

You HV needs re-trained when i comes to BFing. This is when you can start to educate your HCP!! "DD should be feeding for 20 min each feed any less than that and she is only getting foremilk" - this is utter nonsense.

Let me look for some links and references for you to print and start educating those ill-informed people..

You are doing FATASTICALLY well. My dd2 only ever fed for around 5 mins at a time.. she was a slow weight gainer initially then she started pilling it on.

I will look for links and post later. Keep your chin up and remember you know more about bfing than the majority of HV's, GPs etc.. stick by your guns

The fact that she was premature needs to be considered here too;

is baby getting enough milk

Normal growth of breastfed babies

How might i increase babies weight gain

Guidelines for health care providers (also great for parents)

thanks Determination - I started another post on this issue and have got lots of support. Thanks for the links. It's been a crappy day

Think DD is picking up on it cos she has been ultra sensitive and crying more than usual tonight.

I noticed that after i posted the reply on this thread!

Just Remember Rascal,
Trust in your ability to be a mother, your instinct should never let you down...

You know babyrascal more than anyone else and your instinct will always keep you right. Believe in yourselfand ALWAYS fight your case when i comes to BFing and Health Care Professionals as the majority of the the time we (bfing mothers) know more about Bfing than they do.

Just to update

DD now weighs in at a hefty 4lb 11oz - after putting on 4oz in a week! [blows raspberry at HV] and after feeding for only 5min a go!

Was speaking to staff at clinic and mentioned about her only feeding for 5 min and they said this was fine. Whilst in clinic she wanted feeding so fed her and she was on for 10 min, winded then back on for another 5min!

THe Staff are so impressed with my efforts they have asked me to go along to the new BF support group to talk to other mums and act as inspiration

trhis is amazing.. tou truly are inspirational.

congrats on the weight gain

Hiya

Just thought I'd update!

Babyrascal is now feeding between 5 and 15 min each feed and has managed a feed on the left side twice since Thursday and had a fair attempt yesterday!

However as always I've got a concern! She seems to be very unsettled at the moment. Last night she was up for 3hrs between 3 and 6am (fed 3 times and was sick a fair bit) - so knackered today. She is better during the day bu thas been unsettled a fair bit today. Just seems to be fussing and won't go down as easily then seems to get overtired which makes her worse.

Any ideas why she is easier to settle in the day rather than at night?

Also I'm panicking in case I'm not giving her enough milk (not thinking of giving formula or anything just worried) - after her last feed 12 min on the left and 11 on right she seemed full and when I tried to express after (just to see if my breasts were 'empty') only got about 5ml each side which is far less than I can normally get (usually about 50ml off the left when she hasn't fed of that side)so think that she is taking a fair bit and when she feeds I can hear her swallowing - most feeds she swallows loads others she is more sleepy or just slower with more pauses. But still stressing about it.

I'm going to a BF support group on Tuesday so will ask their advice. Really want to get her feeding more on the left but at the moment only she only does so very occasionally and can only do it in rugby hold which I would struggle with out of the house as need my support pillow.

I know it will get easier but roughly when did you find it got easier and in more of a 'routine' with Breastfeeding?

Sorry that's all a bit waffley but feel better writing it all down - any suggesyions on any of the points much appreciated!

Hi Rascal,
Hows things going?

Everything sounded fine last time.. possibly a growth spurt?

Just wanted to update this thread to let everyone who offered their support now that we are now coming upto 6 momths exclusivebreastfeeding and Babyrascal is feeding really well and I've chilled out loads.

She is doing great with her weight gain and at weigh in today was a massive 9lb!!