Breast-feeding a premature baby
When a baby is born prematurely, is breastfeeding still a possibility or even desirable? According to several specialists in the field, the answer is a resounding “yes”!
© Thinkstock
Giving a premature baby breast milk can help reduce health risks and illnesses during the time in hospital and even colitis (inflammation of the colon). But you need to start breast-feeding as soon as the baby is born, and continue...
The benefits of breast milk for premature babies
According to a report by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the advantages of breastfeeding cover health, nutrition, immunology, development and psychological, social, economic and environmental aspects. The report concludes that breast milk significantly reduces the risks of contracting acute or chronic illnesses. Breast milk is also better tolerated by a premature baby.
An amazing natural mechanism gets to work when a baby is born prematurely, modifying breast milk and adapting it to the baby’s increased nutritional needs, making it richer in proteins, sodium, iron and antibodies!
Breastfeeding is also more suited than bottle-feeding as baby can exercise a certain amount of control over milk flow. A premature baby may find it a little difficult at first, may be a little weak, but will get there in the end.
Between 30 and 32 weeks, a premature baby is fed intravenously. When baby reaches 32 weeks and 1,300 grams, you can try actual breastfeeding. But it is only from 36 weeks and 1,800 grams that a baby is truly capable of feeding at the breast, even if it’s a slow process that requires a lot of persistence and patience.
There are also benefits for the mother: reduced post-partum bleeding, faster return to pre-pregnancy weight, reduced ovarian risks and even a reduction in pre-menopause breast cancers.
At the clinic: feed early, feed often
Usually babies born before the 31st or 32nd week of pregnancy cannot be breastfed directly from the breast until their health is considered stable. However, breast milk can be fed to a premature baby through a tube in the nose or mouth down to the stomach.
To build up a stock of milk, start pumping your breasts within the first 6 hours after the birth, and then continue doing so every 3 to 4 hours for 15- to 20-minute periods to imitate usual breastfeeding and stimulate milk production.
Electric pumps are available for this, providing cycles of 60 to 70 pumps per minute with a suction force of 215 to 225. They reproduce the typical movements of a normal feed and are highly effective.
All pumped breast milk should be collected and immediately frozen in wait until the baby can be fed using this milk. At first, lactating mothers produce colostrum, a thick, yellowish liquid that is extremely rich and filled with antibodies, white blood cells and growth hormones. It is invaluable for your newborn baby and despite today’s medical expertise, we are still incapable of reproducing its exact composition.
Colostrum acts as a laxative and prevents enter colitis problems (inflammation of the colon and small intestine). Once your actual milk comes in, manually pump and store your breast milk in two separate containers, one for the more ‘liquid’ first milk and one for the ‘creamier’ end milk. You can then give your baby the higher-calorie end milk at a later date. It is more energy-packed, richer in lipids and clearly helps to reinforce baby’s growth.
Breast-feeding when your premature baby comes home
When a premature baby leaves the maternity ward to return home, he may be frightened by the new and unknown surroundings. This change may cause the baby to reject breast milk. If this happens, you can supplement your baby's feeds with breast milk through a dropper, until he gets used to feeding from the breast again. Avoid using a dummy or bottle in the belief that it’s the best way to satisfy his appetite as this will break the breast-feeding habit and you may not be able to get him back to the breast easily.
Breastfeed in a calm, quiet, warm place, where your baby can remain undressed (just a nappy on) and benefit from skin-on-skin contact with mummy. During the first few days back at home, hold and carry your baby as much as possible to make him feel safe and secure. Try and find someone to help look after the household chores so you can get some rest and spend quiet time together.
Copyright © 2011 Doctissimo
Posted 26.01.2011
Get more on this subject…
