Breastfeeding a premature baby presents unique challenges, but it also offers tremendous benefits for your baby’s health and development. With the right support and information, breastfeeding can be a rewarding experience for you and your premature baby.
Succeeding in breastfeeding is often even more important to you, because you may feel guilty about your baby’s prematurity and the way your pregnancy and delivery went. This guilt can be heavy, but know that breastfeeding will allow you to regain confidence in yourself and feel capable of meeting your child’s needs. For this, you need even more support and guidance than other mothers. Here are tips and strategies to help you succeed.
If you have landed on this page, you are already on the right track! Breastfeeding education will allow you to anticipate. And know that you can already start before birth. By extracting your colostrum, for example!
The benefits of breastfeeding for premature babies
Optimal nutrition:
- Breast milk is specially adapted to the needs of premature babies. It contains proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals essential for their growth and development. Each mother’s milk meets the specific needs of each baby.
Strengthening the immune system:
- Additionally, breast milk is rich in antibodies and other immune factors that help protect premature babies against infections, to which they are particularly vulnerable.
Gastrointestinal development:
- Breast milk promotes the development of healthy intestinal flora and reduces the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis, a serious condition in premature babies.
Mother-baby bond:
- Breastfeeding promotes the emotional bond between mother and baby, important for the emotional and psychological well-being of both and in the postpartum recovery affected by the baby’s prematurity.
Starting breastfeeding with a premature baby
Early milk expression
- First, we recommend expressing the colostrum by hand, if it is not possible to put the baby to the breast, because it is possible to put a premature baby to the breast right away, it will obviously depend on each situation. If the baby cannot be breastfed for health reasons, then we recommend that the mother express the colostrum by hand. You can receive it using a syringe, a small container or a small spoon. It is drop by drop that the colostrum will be drawn. The maternity team will be there to support and help you. The first colostrum should be expressed as soon as possible or within 6 hours of birth. It is then recommended to express the colostrum (always by hand) 8x per 24 hours (i.e. every 3 to 4 hours, max 5 hours at night) until the milk comes in. Then you can express your transitional and mature milk with a hospital grade double electric breast pump.
Skin to skin (Kangaroo)
- Skin-to-skin contact is extremely beneficial for premature babies. At the beginning, it is not always possible, depending on the degree of prematurity. That being said, the medical team will do their best to allow you this skin-to-skin moment. This may be repeated as many times as possible, depending on the medical stability of the baby and your health. It can also be initiated before and during breastfeeding. It helps stabilize your body temperatures, improves your breathing and heart rate, and promotes breast milk production, helping you regain confidence and rest.
Use of different containers
- At first, your baby may be too weak to feed directly from the breast. In this case, your milk can be administered with a syringe, finger, or cup until your baby is strong enough to suckle according to the maternity’s recommendations. Sometimes, for very premature babies, breast milk will be administered through a nasogastric tube.
Techniques for breastfeeding a premature baby
Take the breast
- Maternity professionals will be there to help you. Proper latching is crucial for effective feeding and preventing nipple pain.
Breastfeeding positions
Patience and perseverance
- Finally, be patient and perseverant. Premature babies may take longer to learn to breastfeed effectively. Give them plenty of opportunities to practice with the support of the maternity ward.
Support and resources
Consult a lactation consultant
- To get started, a Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) can provide you with personalized advice and practical support to overcome the challenges of breastfeeding a premature baby.
Join support groups
- Next, support groups for mothers of premature and breastfeeding babies can offer valuable encouragement and advice. Sharing your experiences with other mothers can be comforting and inspiring.
Use of hospital breast pumps
- Finally, use high-quality hospital breast pumps, like Lileo, to maintain and increase your milk supply. These breast pumps are designed to be efficient and comfortable.
Key points to remember
Flexibility and adaptation
- First, be prepared to adapt your approach based on your baby’s changing needs. Every premature baby is unique and will develop their breastfeeding skills at their own pace.
Postpartum care
- Take care of yourself. Make sure you eat well, hydrate yourself, and get as much rest as possible. Your well-being is crucial to maintaining sufficient milk production. Ask for support from those around you (meal management, cleaning, etc.). Create your support village.
Coordination with caregivers
- Work closely with your baby’s medical team to monitor their progress and adjust feeding plans accordingly. Open communication with healthcare professionals is essential for successful breastfeeding.
Conclusion
Breastfeeding a premature baby is challenging, but with patience, support and the right information, success is entirely possible. The benefits of breastfeeding for premature babies are immense and worth the effort and commitment. Don’t hesitate to seek support and use available resources to accompany you on this precious journey.
