Preme babies?

Question

can a preme baby brest feed. one that is like really small, 3 pounds or something can they breast feed?

Answer 1

If you're asking whether they're able to breastfeed, the answer is: depending on how premature they are and what other issues may be at play, they may not be mature enough to breastfeed at first.

While we take the ease of drinking for granted it's actually a complicated matter and requires coordination of breathing, sucking, and swallowing -- that's something that a premature infant likely doesn't have yet. This reflex doesn't generally develop until about 32 weeks or so, so depending on how early the baby is born s/he simply may be too immature to suckle. (Also, bradychardia (decrease in heart rate) and apnea (basically, a temporary cessation of breathing) are extremely common among premature babies, and happen frequently when they are "eating" because they lack that very coordination.)

As a practical matter, a premature baby weighing 3 pounds is going to be spending time in the hospital NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), so nursing becomes a challenge of a different sort. (And for some women it may take longer for the milk to come in after a baby is born prematurely.) Depending on the health of the infant the mother will have access to him/her to nurse when the baby is ready, and probably to start introducing the baby to the breast even when there is no expectation that the baby will be ready to nurse yet. In the meantime, expressed breast milk will be fed to the baby, usually (depending on gestational age, overall health, etc.) through a gavage tube running down the throat (usually inserted into the nose rather than the mouth).

Whether the baby can actually breastfeed at that early time or no breastmilk is highly recommended -- premature babies have less mature immune systems (along with less mature...everything) and are more prone to infection as a result -- they really benefit from breastmilk. When my twins were in the NICU I worked with them to help them learn to breastfeed but mostly I felt like I was pumping all the time, so that 1) they would have breastmilk whether I was breastfeeding or not -- whether they could latch or not, or whether I was at the hospital or home sleeping, etc. and 2) I would have something that might vaguely resemble a supply even by the time they were discharged. It's pretty easy to recognize a mother of premature/NICU babies....they're the ones walking down the hall toward the NICU nurses with vials and bottles and trays of expressed breast milk, to be stored in the NICU's refrigerator and freezer for when baby needs it.

FWIW, my babies each weighed about 3 pounds at birth -- a little more but then they dropped weight (totally normal) and were under the 3 pound mark for a bit. Neither was able to latch on and actually nurse for a while, and even when they were able to they were still receiving expressed breastmilk through a gavage tube regardless of our nursing sessions.

Sorry if I've rambled.

There are some articles you can read online about breastfeeding premature infants: below is a link to one article, and also a link to the results of a google search.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

Sure. You might need to pump until the baby has a sucking reflex. The baby will be pro bally be fed by a syringe until the sucking reflex comes in. Once the baby has a sucking reflex, there is no problem with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding a preemie is very important because of the antibodies in breast milk and the proteins in breast milk are very easy to digest.

Answer 3

Some can, but not all. My son was born at 35 weeks, he was 6 lbs 12 oz and he didn't even learn how to bottle feed until he was about 8 days old.

Answer 4

The best way to breastfeed a preterm baby is to pump. If you can get as much help feeding the baby with the bottles of expressed milk.Breastfeeding a preterm baby is the best way you help him out in the long term.

Answer 5

My baby was less than a pound and breast fed fine after getting her sucking reflex - about 2 months after birth...and still less than 2 pounds. Before that, I pumped.

Answer 6

Until they learn to latch, the mom can pump. But its better to tube feed with the pumped milk than a bottle, because the bottle drinking might prevent the baby from learning to latch.

Answer 7

My daughter replaced right into a preemie. Her preemie pj's now bypass on her 18" infant doll. they are somewhat short contained in the legs, yet in any different case in good condition exceedingly plenty. i think of they might in good condition a 15" submit to.

Answer 8

of course...breastfeeding can help the baby more than you know...the mothers body has been sustaining this baby for the last few months and can continue to do so now...your body know what your baby needs and can help your baby grow faster and stronger

Answer 9

hmm if they cant latch on, then try breast pumping and giving it to nurses to feed baby. but remember artificial milk has everything your baby needs so you shouldnt worry

Answer 10

they can...my little brother was born 2 months early...he was 4 pounds...he breastfed.