Premature babies
Breast milk is especially important for premature babies. That’s why breast milk banks collect milk from donors so premature babies who are in hospital can benefit if the mother cannot nurse.
Premature babies’ ability to breastfeed depends on their age. As a general rule, from 28 weeks babies can root and grasp, while proper sucking appears at around 30 weeks. By 36 weeks, 85% of babies can exclusively breastfeed.
Weight gain is a greater concern for premature babies, so many mums express as they can monitor their baby’s intake while also being able to leave breast milk for nighttime feeds if the baby remains in hospital.
A good breastfeeding position for premature babies is the cross cradle. It also helps if the mother supports the weight of the breast and/or holds her index finger under the baby’s chin to help them stay on.
Other things that might help:
Make use of the support that is available to you: healthcare professionals and lactation consultants can help you with any difficulty you might experience and are at hand to discuss your concerns on your baby’s progress.
Premature babies’ ability to breastfeed depends on their age. As a general rule, from 28 weeks babies can root and grasp, while proper sucking appears at around 30 weeks. By 36 weeks, 85% of babies can exclusively breastfeed.
Weight gain is a greater concern for premature babies, so many mums express as they can monitor their baby’s intake while also being able to leave breast milk for nighttime feeds if the baby remains in hospital.
A good breastfeeding position for premature babies is the cross cradle. It also helps if the mother supports the weight of the breast and/or holds her index finger under the baby’s chin to help them stay on.
Other things that might help:
- avoid overdressing the baby as overheating will make them feel too drowsy to feed effectively
- if your baby only breastfeeds from one breast, maintain the supply in the other by expressing
- be patient, it might take longer for a premature baby to breastfeed – limiting time on the breast will affect intake of breast milk and reduce supply.
Is my baby getting enough?
Mothers of premature babies are understandably worried about how much breast milk their baby is taking. As a result, some mums choose to express. It might also be the best option for babies that need to stay in hospital because they are very premature or have health problems.Make use of the support that is available to you: healthcare professionals and lactation consultants can help you with any difficulty you might experience and are at hand to discuss your concerns on your baby’s progress.
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