Saturday, October 1, 2011

No Latch for Six Weeks--premature baby in NICU

Hudson was born at 37 weeks and went to the NICU due to lung immaturity.  Breastfeeding was delayed, and when he did nurse, Hudson would only latch with a shield and didn't take a full feeding.

  Rachel pumped for several weeeks, but gradually phased out pumping to two times a day as she became discouraged about breastfeeding.  She also had a 17 month old baby,  whom she had nursed for 10 months, so there was little time to pump.  Rachel was only pumping three ounces a day when we met.

We latched Hudson using self attachment techniques, and he nursed very well, taking a full three ounces at breast.  However, that week, Rachel was unable to get him to latch herself, and just used a hand pump--getting only two ounces a day.  She almost cancelled the next visit.

The next time, however,  Hudson--a determined boy-- again latched on, and this time took two ounces at breast  after we had given him a little formula first, since he was hungry and her supply was low.  Rachel was then able to latch him herself on the second side, and continued to do so.  She emailed later saying she had latched him well herself, as evidenced above.

She is going to continue to nurse him after giving him partial formula feeding first, while she uses supplements and medication to increase her supply.  He seems to be enjoying the change, and so is she.

2 comments:

  1. Yes, that's exactly right! I was so sad to not be nursing my little boy. After nursing my daughter successfully, I just assumed it would be easier the second time. It was difficult to have him unexpectedly in the NICU for 0 days, and then even harder to not establish a good nursing routine. Frankly, I was intimidated with the late start, didn't want to push him because he was so little and I just wanted to bottle feed him since I could be sure he was getting plenty and not making him work too hard.. But I regretted him not having breastmilk. I just felt so torn, and on top of it had my daughter to care for too. Overwhelmed. Lorna was such a Godsend. Just having her there gave me so much for hope and confidence, not to mention all the obvious practical help and guidance. We are both happier - Hudson and I- to be working on nursing and seeing success. Thank you soooooo much Lorna!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oops, that was supposed to be *10 days in the NICU, not 0 days!

    ReplyDelete