Nursing a Premie and Exclusive Pumping

One thing I’ve learned about breastfeeding, moms and babies is that flexibility is key. Instead of having a preconceived notion about the “right” way to breastfeed, moms have to find their own definition of success. Some moms and babies have a harder time getting nursing going, especially when there is a complicated birth situation, and end up exclusively pumping.

Here is one such story.

“I had planned on breast feeding from the start.  However, I delivered 12 weeks early due to preeclampsia – because of my high blood pressure, I was put on a magnesium sulfate drip which made me LOOPY!!

My first visit with the lactation consultant was a waste of time because I was totally out of it and alone, so no one was able to repeat what she had taught to me when I was coherent. So one of the nurses later on taught me how to use the breast pump – and I started pumping.

The suckle doesn’t come naturally to preemies like a full term baby, so they need to learn. The NICU used a pacifier to help little dude develop the intuition and muscles to suckle. Then when he was ready to eat, he was started with a bottle of expressed breast milk.

Time after time I tried to get little dude to breastfeed, but he would not latch on. Even with the help of my lactation consultant. And because of his prematurity, I couldn’t take my time with him until he “got it”. I only had about 5 minutes each feeding time to give it a shot – otherwise he had to be fed with a bottle or gavage (feeding tube) and I was off to the “milking room” to hook myself up to the pump yet again.

It was a horrible experience for both of us. But I continued pumping for three months because I strongly believe that breast milk is best. Even when little dude’s appetite surpassed the amount of milk I was producing, I continued pumping and supplemented with formula.”

Thanks for sharing your story Cara!