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I'm going to see her soon! Yes the expressing is tiring but I know how good that liquid gold is for her.
BellyBelly Member
Expressing is a drag, but it's so rewarding.
I wouldn't be worrying too much about her breastfeeding right now. She's still only little. I know that's hard to hear. I wanted DD to BF sooo badly before she was 'term' and it just didn't happen. She was just too small and tired.
Keep up the good work.
Registered User
Thanks. I guess it is a reality. When did DD stop being so tired? DD2 is rarely alert.
Registered User
It varies. Mine is 36 weeks now and mostly demanding feeds but this morning didn't want a bar of it.
BellyBelly Member
She became alert all of a sudden around her EDD. Before that she just slept all the time. For the first few weeks she rarely woke up.
But, she was very sick. That probably makes a small difference.
Have they done blood screens for jaundice?
Registered User
DS2 didn't BF fully until just over 36weeks. He could suck but was too tired. (would sleep 6-9hrs at a time) became more alert around EDD or over.
As far as expressing goes, when you express (and bottle or NG feed) doesn't mean that you won't bf later. My youngest brother was born term, had heaps of health issues and had to stay in hospital for the first 6 months. Mum expressed and bottle fed while he was in hospital, but when he came home she taught him to bf.
Do what you need to for now
Chris
DS1
DD
DS2
#4 due Sep
Registered User
Well seems for the moment we are expressing and feeding EBM via the ng tube 6 feeds a day and via a bottle 2 feeds a day. I'm a little confused about when she gets to demand feed, I don't think that will happen for aaaages because she would just keep sleeping.
Her cannula tissued today, so they removed it, but her bsl's were stable so she doesn't need it anymore. Wahoo. Can't wait til I have a tube free baby.
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Woohoo for stable BSL!!
Well seems for the moment we are expressing and feeding EBM via the ng tube 6 feeds a day and via a bottle 2 feeds a day. I'm a little confused about when she gets to demand feed, I don't think that will happen for aaaages because she would just keep sleeping.
Her cannula tissued today, so they removed it, but her bsl's were stable so she doesn't need it anymore
I was told by the drs when DS2 was in NICU/SCBU sleep=strength. Very normal for babies under 36 weeks to sleep constantly.
You are doing a great job Maruscke!
Some of the resources that helped me when in NICU and SCBU were:
Preterm Infants Parents Association (gave me info on what to expect from each gestation)
also 'Miracle Babies' foundation often have support groups and info in hospitals.
BellyBelly Member
Life's Little Treasures is also a great foundation.
Registered User
OLP how are you going hun? I hope your little one is progressing well in SCU
We just got back from visiting DD2. She is at quota
BellyBelly Member
Those are great Apgars!
YAY for being at quota!
Fingers crossed you can room in soon! That was the scariest thing ever, DD was just over 6 weeks old when we roomed in with her. That's when it all became real.
Is DD2 in an isolette or an open cot? Just curious.
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DD2 is in an open cot. I'm a bit frightened about rooming in to be honest. She is so darn small. And I have so many questions. Will I demand feed or feed on the clock? Can I have a 4-5 hour stretch of sleep overnight? If she does sleep past a feed and I don't wake her up, how will I know if her bsl's have really dropped? What formula should I use incase my supply drops rapidly? Eeeks!
Registered User
Hi,
Prem babies are just on their L-plates. They look like they can do it, but you need to be in there beside them. Soon you can demand feed her, but right now she might be too sleepy and yound to actually demand (you will know she is able to demand a feed when she beats your three hourly alarm and YELLS for it. No, you can't go 4-5 hours over night Seriously. It's not forever, but your body needs to know it has to stick with the program - making milk. Don't let her sleep- set your phone alarm. There is no reason she would have low blood sugar levels if you feed her frequently. Milk supply doesn't just "drop suddenly". Simple equation - you remove the milk you make more. Therefore you won't be needing formula. Right now you are expressing about twice the amount you need. If you ever needed extra (which you won't) just dip into the freezer.
It sounds like the hospital experience has really knocked your confidence - that's common. A few days ago you were upset that she had to have formula - now you are asking what formula you should buy? You are well ahead of her breastmilk wise. You can do this. In a very short space of time she will be like a normal newborn and you will feed her fine
Registered User
Wow! That is great news!We just got back from visiting DD2. She is at quota
DD2 is in an open cot
Are there any/many nurses you feel comfortable asking questions? (when DS2 was in hospital we were assigned a really nice social worker who helped us, and in the support group there was a nurse who we asked any and everything)
I think all of us are scared of the thought of rooming-in. I'm not sure about the other hospitals but in SA WCH hospital has a nurse/midwife assigned to the parenting room to help with any questions & issues you have on the days you are in.
(btw when it comes time to room in they will have made sure her BSLs are steady)
Last edited by Chrispe; July 19th, 2012 at 12:21 AM.
Registered User
And on another note DS2, my little 33+3weeker, is turning 2 tomorrow! getting to be such a big boy!
from this
http://img.tapatalk.com/76d2c3b9-cb50-d68e.jpg
To this
http://img.tapatalk.com/76d2c3b9-cb94-5cbe.jpg
Last edited by onthefly; July 19th, 2012 at 11:53 AM.
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Awww gosh he is a little cutie! Look how far he has come
Registered User
I'm going to disagree (sorry). It can depend on thier size and when they leave hospital. Dd1 was my 30 weeker born at 1.6kg. We left hosptal at 37 weeks and 2.7 kg. She never stirred for her 3 hourly feeds so I got the nurses to push her to 4 hourly and she started stirring for feeds then. Our first night home she wouldn't wake at 4.5 hourly mark and DH and I spent an hour trying to wake her. Went into another hospital and saw our usual doctor who told us we were mad to wake her, keep to 3-4 hr feeds in the day and let her wake at night when she wants as she's now considered term.
Dd2 is my 34 weeker at 2.7kgs and currently in the SCN and I mentioned 4 hourly feeds to the nurse and her response is that some can and some can't depends on thier weight size etc.
Registered User
Hi,
I agree that some can and some can't - but the information about whether this baby is one that can or can't go 4 hours is not tattoed on the baby's forehead, and I would worry that you would put the mother's milk supply and the baby's ongoing breastfeeding relationship at risk by letting them go too long. It's physiologically normal for a newborn to feed at least 8-12 times in 24 hours, and this is what the mother's body expects to keep her supply going. Also, when babies are in special care nursery they are often separated from their mother, and may show subtle signs that they want to feed - but in the plethora of business which is a special care nursery their cues might be missed.
In my experience it is important to express as often as possible in the early days. Unfortunately many Drs and nurses in special care don't think about breastfeeding long term when they give advice. They don't see normal fullterm babies very often and it skews their way of thinking
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