Introduce your VIP (Very Important Preemie!)

[Meli_H]

If she is breastfeeding then her milk will pass on the antibodies of whatever she is sick with.

Very true, but for super preemies, I believe it is better to avoid getting sick at all, so then you don't get your super preemie sick and add another layer of things to recover from in the NICU. Not to mention, when super preemies come home, many times they are immunocompromised.

 

[BSelck24]

Definitely a good tip! Thanks for the advice ladies!

Question:

Were any of u able to breastfeed when your babies were discharged from the NICU? I am currently pumping to feed my lil man in the NICU but want to know if most of you had to supplement with formula or were able to begin breastfeeding when your baby came home?

 

[Kiwiberry]

Meli the same is true for not so super preemies. I think all preemies have a weak immune system. At least it was true for my 27 weeker.

BS I was able to breastfeed after discharge. They always supplement a little formula mixed with EBM to help them gain weight. Even after she came home we have to give her EBM mixed with enfacare and vitamins twice a day. She had EBM and enfacare in her NG tube then we worked on breastfeeding for a couple weeks and after that I allowed them to give bottles when I wasn't there to breastfeed.

If you have facebook there is some really good preemie and breastfeeding a preemie support groups.

Whatever you do never give up on breastfeeding. You will probably have ups and downs but you can succeed!

 

[SucreK]

Definitely a good tip! Thanks for the advice ladies!

Question:

Were any of u able to breastfeed when your babies were discharged from the NICU? I am currently pumping to feed my lil man in the NICU but want to know if most of you had to supplement with formula or were able to begin breastfeeding when your baby came home?

Personally, no. But that may be because I have twins (not that twin moms can't tandem breastfeed--I just couldn't figure it out!). I've pumped the entire time and now that they're almost a year, I'm finally slowing the pumping down (twice a day--I'm finally getting my day back!). I'd say try your best to breastfeed--a baby can empty your breast better than any machine (I've had 2 bouts of mastitis and thrush--OW) and washing bottles all day is rough. BUT, if pumping ends up being your routine, know that it really isn't so bad. Rent the hospital pump, because it's the very best, and it will soon become so part of your routine that you really won't think much about it.

GOOD LUCK and congratulations on your sweet baby!

 

[Meli_H]

Definitely a good tip! Thanks for the advice ladies!

Question:

Were any of u able to breastfeed when your babies were discharged from the NICU? I am currently pumping to feed my lil man in the NICU but want to know if most of you had to supplement with formula or were able to begin breastfeeding when your baby came home?

I have been pumping for 16 months. I was never able to breastfeed because he was sooooo sick for so long. The last month in the NICU the OT wanted me to try to bf. I decided not to even try. I didnt want to confuse him, I just wanted him to drink his bottle well and not add more obstacles and roadblocks to him coming home because he was on the feeding tube the majority of his NICU stay.

I was also directed to add some formula to my bm, for caloric reasons and I still do that to this day.

and I totally agree with SucreK. Rent the hospital pump. It will so be worth the investment. Those suckers work awesome! Oh, and buy a Simple Wishes pumping bra and Pumpin' Pal flanges. they are THE BEST!

 

[SucreK]

Definitely a good tip! Thanks for the advice ladies!

Question:

Were any of u able to breastfeed when your babies were discharged from the NICU? I am currently pumping to feed my lil man in the NICU but want to know if most of you had to supplement with formula or were able to begin breastfeeding when your baby came home?

I have been pumping for 16 months. I was never able to breastfeed because he was sooooo sick for so long. The last month in the NICU the OT wanted me to try to bf. I decided not to even try. I didnt want to confuse him, I just wanted him to drink his bottle well and not add more obstacles and roadblocks to him coming home because he was on the feeding tube the majority of his NICU stay.

I was also directed to add some formula to my bm, for caloric reasons and I still do that to this day.

and I totally agree with SucreK. Rent the hospital pump. It will so be worth the investment. Those suckers work awesome! Oh, and buy a Simple Wishes pumping bra and Pumpin' Pal flanges. they are THE BEST!

And I totally agree with you! My daughter Nora was very sick (she didn't have NEC, but she did have a bowel perforation that needed a stoma surgery and then a reconnection surgery), so it wasn't until day 70 or so that we were allowed to try breast feeding. She was okay at it, but I was honestly so overwhelmed with two preemies in two different locations for over two months that I gave up. I needed some consistency in my life, and pumping did that for me (also, it meant hubby/grandma/etc. could feed the girls so that I could SLEEP once in a while). A very personal decision, of course, but DO NOT beat yourself up if you choose pumping or formula. I am EXTREMELY connected to my girls, and they know exactly who I am.

 

[Meli_H]

Definitely a good tip! Thanks for the advice ladies!

Question:

Were any of u able to breastfeed when your babies were discharged from the NICU? I am currently pumping to feed my lil man in the NICU but want to know if most of you had to supplement with formula or were able to begin breastfeeding when your baby came home?

I have been pumping for 16 months. I was never able to breastfeed because he was sooooo sick for so long. The last month in the NICU the OT wanted me to try to bf. I decided not to even try. I didnt want to confuse him, I just wanted him to drink his bottle well and not add more obstacles and roadblocks to him coming home because he was on the feeding tube the majority of his NICU stay.

I was also directed to add some formula to my bm, for caloric reasons and I still do that to this day.

and I totally agree with SucreK. Rent the hospital pump. It will so be worth the investment. Those suckers work awesome! Oh, and buy a Simple Wishes pumping bra and Pumpin' Pal flanges. they are THE BEST!

And I totally agree with you! My daughter Nora was very sick (she didn't have NEC, but she did have a bowel perforation that needed a stoma surgery and then a reconnection surgery), so it wasn't until day 70 or so that we were allowed to try breast feeding. She was okay at it, but I was honestly so overwhelmed with two preemies in two different locations for over two months that I gave up. I needed some consistency in my life, and pumping did that for me (also, it meant hubby/grandma/etc. could feed the girls so that I could SLEEP once in a while). A very personal decision, of course, but DO NOT beat yourself up if you choose pumping or formula. I am EXTREMELY connected to my girls, and they know exactly who I am.

SucreK

OHH YES....u mentioned another reason that I am glad that I pumped...it meant that dad, mom and mil could help with feedings.

BSelck24,

Again, do what's best for you and your miracle. Pumping is just what made sense and worked for us (and I have no regrets).

 

[Kiwiberry]

I hated my pump after 3 months of using it constantly. MIL and OH still get to feed our baby girl her vitamin bottles twice a day. Plus, our baby just loves breastfeeding. She gets all snuggly and cosy with her mommy (me lol).

In the NICU she did breastfeeding and bottle feeding when I was not there. From what I hear not all babies take to both forms of feeds though. I guess we just got really lucky, our baby is such a milk piggy she doesn't care where her milk comes from lol (but prefers the breast).

Like people said, do what works for you. As long as it works, then there is no right or wrong. I will mention though that breastfeeding has really good benefits for both mom and baby even compared to expressing your milk with a pump.

Here is a link to some really good information on the differences in breastfeeding directly vs bottle feeding EBM.

https://nativemothering.com/2012/04...g-directly-and-bottle-feeding-expressed-milk/

 

[BSelck24]

Great! So good to hear some of you were able to breastfeed!! I know if that doesn't work out, I will continue to pump as well. Just yesterday my doctor started fortifying my breast milk and adding vitamins to his feedings. I could not imagine dealing with twins in the NICU! Amazing courage and patience!

So my next question would be when did your breast milk truly come in? Zackarys is two weeks old and I am able to pump 2 oz on each breast every 2-3 hours. Obviously that is way up from when I started but I guess I don't know how much is normal?

My lactation specialist said because Zackary was so preemie, it may take up to 4 weeks for my milk to fully come in. She said to drink a lot of water and eat as much as I can to increase my calories (I had the gastric sleeve surgery so I don't get Ina normal amount of calories everyday)

Thank u guys so much for your help!

 

[Kiwiberry]

For me it came in 2-3 days after I gave birth. Once it filled in, I was pumping around 60-90ml per breast every 2-3 hours. It was far more than my baby needed at the time.

 

[BSelck24]

Ok great that makes me feel on track!!

 

[Meli_H]

BSelck,
How is your baby doing?

 

[sethsmummy]

Hey Ladies,

well i dont know if i really belong in here but Rohan is classed as a late term preemie. He had a NICU stay and a PICU stay

Rohan Thomas was born by section at 36+5 on the 23rd december after me going into labour at 36+4. He was born weighing 6lb 8oz, he was a funny colour when he was born and made a grunting noise when breathing so he was taken to nicu where he was given some oxygen and put under billi lights. after 24 hours he came back to my room on a portable billi pad and was taken back and forth to nicu for anti-biotics for 48 hours due to me having strep-B. We came home on boxing day and spent a lovely few days at home when he got a snotty nose which i couldnt budge and then a little cough. on the 4th January he woke up cold and then a couple hours later Our world fell apart when he stopped breathing at home, he went blue and grey. For 10 minutes he could only take a couple desperate gasps until an ambulance arrived and they got him breathing again. He was fine after that apart from being cold, but when we got to resus he had constant reccurant apneas where his sats dropped down to between 30-45. every time they got him back he went again. he was taken to theatre and put on a ventilator and we were transferred to a bigger hospital. he battled hard the whole time he was there (a total 19 days). he was ventillated for 6 days before he was extubated. He couldnt cope though and ended up on CPAP which he remained on for over a week before moving to high flow and then finally nasal oxygen. He was very touch and go for the first two weeks and battled a multitude of things (RSV/Bronchiolitis/pneumonia/bacterial infection/lung collapse/Rim of air in chest) before finally turning a corner and starting to get better. We were transferred back to our local hospital on the 23rd jan and came home on the 27th jan.

 

[SucreK]

Oh, sweet boy! You've been through so much and are so strong. Thank you for updating us--let us be your (and Rohan's) cheering section!

 

[sethsmummy]

thank you Sucrek. I was in two minds whether to post in here but felt it would probably be the best place for support. We are not sure whether all of this is going to cause him to have any delays but only time will tell xx

 

[SucreK]

I'm so glad you did post! One thing that we've loved (and I'd highly recommend) are visits with the developmental specialist. She keeps an eye on our girls and gives us wonderful tips for helping them to reach each developmental stage. We started at 3 months.

 

[BSelck24]

Sethsmummy thank you so much for posting! It sounds like the road was tough but the outcome was amazing! Having your lil man home with you and back to healthy is what I can't wait for! So happy for you and your family! Your son will be in my prayers as he continues to grow!

 

[Kiwiberry]

BSelck, how is your baby doing hun?
I remember when Riya came home after almost 3 months in the NICU. It was the most amazing feeling in the world. She is now a happy spilt happy baby!

 

[sethsmummy]

I'm so glad you did post! One thing that we've loved (and I'd highly recommend) are visits with the developmental specialist. She keeps an eye on our girls and gives us wonderful tips for helping them to reach each developmental stage. We started at 3 months.

Over here we have Health Visitors who do checks at certain points He has his first development check next week. Its supposed to be a 6-8 week check but he will be 9 weeks when she does it. Its not designed for babies who arrived early though so no doubt hell be classed as delayed.

Sethsmummy thank you so much for posting! It sounds like the road was tough but the outcome was amazing! Having your lil man home with you and back to healthy is what I can't wait for! So happy for you and your family! Your son will be in my prayers as he continues to grow!

Thank you so much. hes still not 100% but hopefully we will get there soon. I am thinking of you and your little guy! I really hope your nicu journey is as smooth as possible xx

 

[lanet]

Hi everyone. My twins were born last week at 35 weeks 3 days. Baby girl and I came home today and had to leave baby boy behind after a 5 day stay with him. He was on cpap and then taken off and then ended up on nasal canula today which theyve since weaned again. He's also struggling to eat and taking most of it in tube feedings. He also had a blood transfusion
Since being home I cannot stop crying and thinking about his sweet face and how I left him and I'm not there for him. I had a vaginal twin birth and have had barely any time to sleep eat shower or recover. I have another daughter at home and now a new baby girl here and I just felt we had to come home but I feel so awful and torn