Establishing feeding

MumOfHals · 2024-04-12T03:07:12+00:00

My son has been in NICU for 9 days after birth at 34 weeks + 1 due to having premature lungs. He has now been reunited with me in transitional care, to establish feeding... How quickly did your little ones establish feeding? Xx

Wossupdoc · 12/04/2024 04:18

Congratulations!! I'm sorry I don't have experience of this, but I wanted to bump your post.

Kathryn Stagg is great on this: kathrynstaggibclc.com/2018/01/26/transitioning-your-premature-baby-onto-the-breast-a-parents-guide/

Are you being well supported with breastfeeding support and a hospital grade pump etc.?

My earliest was born at 37 weeks so no NICU experience, but she was very sleepy and hard to rouse for feeds. Lots of nappy changes between boobs, breast compressions and blowing in her poor little face.

Transitioning your premature baby onto the breast- a parent’s guide

When a baby or babies have arrived early, Mum often feel stressed and helpless and feel one of the few things they can do is to provide breast milk. Preterm breast milk is different to that of a mu…

https://kathrynstaggibclc.com/2018/01/26/transitioning-your-premature-baby-onto-the-breast-a-parents-guide

Flittingaboutagain · 12/04/2024 07:00

Congratulations on the birth of your little baby. I was in TCU and they would say I established feeding within a few days and sent me home but I was in so much pain I was pumping... undiagnosed tongue tie was the culprit. Once I had that done it took about two weeks to transition from exclusive pumping to full boob. Still boobing that baby now as a toddler as well as the baby snuggled up on me as I type.

It's such an individual journey, just make sure you request infant feeding and breastfeeding support and reach out for help on positioning and latch if there is even the slightest bit of discomfort.

Matthew54 · 12/04/2024 10:26

Congratulations! If you can afford it, I highly recommend finding a local lactation consultant. I had one when I was right about to abandon breastfeeding with my preemie and she turned it right around.

if that’s not an option I’d ask your health visitor whether there’s any breast feeding cafes or something similar that you can attend.

Dareisayiseethesunshine · 12/04/2024 10:28

Ds was born at 34.5.. We stayed in a week and then came home. Bf went well. He had jaundice but under the lamp treatment next to me... No separation.. Went home at 4.12. Like a skinned rabbit. Healthy 9yo now.

Matthew54 · 12/04/2024 10:31

Also don’t pressure yourself too much. If it works that’s fantastic. If you end up using formula that is also fantastic! As long as baby is fed, loved, and happy you are doing a wonderful job.

beam23 · 20/04/2024 08:38

@MumOfHals in a similar situation here - DD born 34+4. No NICU time needed but been with me on transitional care to establish feeding. Currently topped up via ng tube - she feeds well, but doesn’t have stamina to take in enough. How are things going for you?

VAmum · 20/04/2024 08:43

Congratulations on the arrival of your new baby boy!

I am a mum of 2 girls. My eldest is now 9 years old and the youngest has just turned 1. My first born was also in NICU for a week, and once she was reunited with me I didn't have breastmilk supply yet which is very sad and frustrating because I really want to bf her.

We tried to have her latch with me to trigger milk supply but I see she's not satisfied, I can feel she's hungry. So we opt to feed her formula alongside latching. Now here comes our next problem, she won't accept the many bottles we tried. A friend told me to try Pigeon baby bottles, baby accepted it and it's such a big relief! I personally think it's the bottle teat that did it for her, it's as soft as a mum's breast.

So on my next bub, when we transitioned her from breast to bottle, I just go straight to Pigeon and very happy with the result!

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Original poster

MumOfHals · 20/04/2024 11:51

beam23 · 20/04/2024 08:38

@MumOfHals in a similar situation here - DD born 34+4. No NICU time needed but been with me on transitional care to establish feeding. Currently topped up via ng tube - she feeds well, but doesn’t have stamina to take in enough. How are things going for you?

We was in TC for 4 nights, he took to feeding via breast and bottle straight away and took 60mls instantly, he was approx 35+3 when we went into TC though. We had a slightly longer stay due to jaundice treatment

He is home now :)

OP posts:

beam23 · 05/05/2024 16:46

Wanted to update here - we spent two weeks on transitional care before moving down to SCBU - in theory to be trained to tube feed, but in practice with some more bf support from the neonatal team we quickly weaned off the ng tube and made it home. DD was 1900g at discharge, and since gained 300g over the past week, all bf.

Original poster

MumOfHals · 06/05/2024 02:43

Update from me too..

We spend 9 nights in NICU and 5 nights on TC together before being discharged home - 2 weeks in hospital total from birth. Baby established feeding straightaway and gained weight

We've been at home 2.5 weeks now!

Baby is thriving and has gained 1lb 1oz from birth weight... ( probably more as it always drops a little bit )!

OP posts:

Original poster

MumOfHals · 06/05/2024 02:44

beam23 · 05/05/2024 16:46

Wanted to update here - we spent two weeks on transitional care before moving down to SCBU - in theory to be trained to tube feed, but in practice with some more bf support from the neonatal team we quickly weaned off the ng tube and made it home. DD was 1900g at discharge, and since gained 300g over the past week, all bf.

Glad your home xxxx

OP posts: