Nippling

Try useing a "Haberman Feeder". You can get this from a Madella breast feeding catalog or through a lactation consultant.It is a bottle that has a dial that controls milk flow and special nipples so that no matter how softly the baby sucks he will get milk without so much exertion. As their strength increases you can adjust the dial and change the nipple if needed to control the flow for a stronger suck. Use until child can suck from a regular bottle and nipple or breastfeed. I used this on my daughter who had low tone, heart problems, exhausted very easily and had to drink a certain amount before she could go home. Found out about this from another mother and have recommended it to several parents that used it with success.

After my son was born he was in the hospital for 2 1/2 weeks. He was 3 weeks early and weak. He wasn't strong enough to eat so they had to feed him with a feeding tube along with a bottle. They started him on a pacifier to help strenghthen his jaws. It took him a while but he got stringer. After we got him home he was fine though.

My sister in law had one of my nephews at 35 weeks. I believe he had to stay there for almost two weeks because he too had problems eating and not falling asleep once he finally latched on. I hope he can get the hang of things and come home with you soon.

Hi BK,

I'm sorry you are going through this -- my son was early, too, and had trouble breathing and eating. He was off oxygen fairly quickly, but it was 3 weeks before he was drinking well enough. He had other issues that gave him low tone, though, so I imagine your little guy will recover quicker. It is INCREDIBLY frustrating and hospitals are no fun but just spend as much time as you can with him and get some sleep now, too, so that when he comes home you'll feel ready. Best of luck to you.

K.

My sone was born a month early as well. He had breathing issues and had to do the same feedings as well. Hang in there once he gets going on the feedings and they begin nourishing him he will get it and will get to come home. Just talk to him and love him and let him know everything is ok. He truly does feel your stress. The NICU nurses are amazing people and I know how hard it is on you! trust me I was just there in June...He will get better.

This is a very trying time for you. Hang in there. Its very important for you to be there as much as you can to bond with him and the two of you learn your rytham together. try and be calm and wake him/her up good before trying. Im sure the nic nurses have told you all this already. Remeber, take care of yourself during this recovery time too. Your child will be able to sense if your tired and tense too. Good Luck and we will keep you in our prayers.
E.

I understand that it is hard to leave your baby in the NICU. I had twins at 27 weeks. They stayed in the NICU for two months. Just gave him time. It took my twins a little while to take a whole bottle. How much is he taking at every feeding. My kids started out small and work their way up.

Congrats on your baby boy! I was an NICU social worker for a while and it appears to me that the babies just click with feeding one day and they can progress really quickly toward home after that. The NICU staff should be a wonderful and open support for you so I hope you access them for that---but they can't tell you a specific number of days until all of you can go home b/c all babies are different. Though it is tough to not be with your little one all the time right now try to get some sleep and rest up!

Hey! It seems that you are not alone! My twins were also born on 10/22 and they are also in the NICU. I was 34 wks. My twins were moved from the isolette to a crib today, so I hope they can keep thier temps up. They are taking a bottle at every other feeding. The bottle feedings are tough though. The nurses know how to do the bottle a certain way that I haven't exactly learned yet, but they have showed me. It's like they are putting pressure on thier chins, touching the tip to the roof of thier mouth to make them swallow, and turning the bottle to form a seal so that formula doesn't come out the sides of thier mouth all at the same time while holding the other hand on thier backs to remind them to breathe. I don't know if I can do all that at the same time, they make it look so easy, but it's not! The twins have to be doing the bottle at every feeding before they can come home. I am thankful for this time to recover before the twins come home, though. Good luck with your baby boy. This is #4&5 boys for me, but the first time I've had premmies or done an NICU visit.

I went through the same thing about two months ago. My daughter was born at 34weeks. She was in St. Vincent, and was on a feeding tube for a while, but after they took it out they had a special nipple that they used for her that allowed her to get the amount she needed without having to suck as hard. Preemies(and this is my second)use every ounce of energy they have to suck, and with both of mine they would get exhausted before they would finish eating. The nipple they gave me helped alot. After she got a little stronger she started spitting up, and I took her to the Dr., and we had to change nipples again because she was still sucking hard like she did after she was born, but since she was stronger it was going down to fast and down the wrong pipe. We use the medela orthodontic nipple it has the hole in the top of the nipple instead of the end, and it works wonderful!! I know how hard it is when you just want to make everything better for your baby, but it will get better, and he will be home with you soon. Is he ok other than the feeding?

A.

It took my preemie a couple weeks before he could take all his bottles. I'm sure he'll get the hang of it soon!

Our son was born at 36 wks and had the same issue. It just clicked all of a sudden one day and he figured out how to finish his bottle. The nurses told us it would happen that way, and sure enough it did. He was in the NICU 11 days. Not all kids are the same, but I bet he will figure it out soon. Don't forget to take care of yourself while he's in the NICU. Especially if you are producing milk for him. You don't want to wear yourself down. You will need the energy and strength when he comes.
Congrats on your baby boy!