How to breastfeed a premature baby to grow normally & bull; hello healthy

Maximizing formula feeding for premature babies is very important. The reason is, premature babies need more nutrition so they can grow and develop healthily. However, breastfeeding premature babies is a challenge for mothers. Even though it is difficult, try to keep breastfeeding the baby. You can try some of these methods of breastfeeding so that premature babies still get the benefits of breast milk.

x

The importance of breast milk intake for premature babies

Some mothers may struggle with how to breastfeed a premature baby.

Although it is not easy to do, giving breast milk or milk for babies born prematurely has many benefits for the baby.

Breast milk or breast milk is the first food needed by every baby.

Just like babies born at full age, premature babies also need breast milk as the first energy that enters their bodies after birth.

Quoted from Healthy Children, although it is a challenge, breast milk is an important intake given to premature babies.

This is because the content in it can help the immature baby's digestive system and protect it from various infections.

Not only that, breast milk also contains hormones and growth factors that help the development of premature babies.

In addition, breast milk is also effective in enhancing the development of the baby's body and brain.

Please note that breast milk is easier to digest than formula milk specifically for premature babies.

Formula-fed premature babies are at risk for exposure necrotising enterocolitis, which is a condition in which part of the intestine experiences necrosis (tissue death).

Therefore, it is better for premature babies to be given breast milk than formula milk.

As much as possible try to get your baby to receive breast milk as the first food, even though there may be many challenges that must be faced.

The first milk that comes out of the mother's breast, or colostrum, contains nutrients needed for newborns.

This content of breast milk contains antibodies, protein and other nutrients.

It is very good to give the baby colostrum immediately after birth as this can facilitate further milk production.

How to breastfeed a premature baby

Some premature babies may not be able to get milk directly at the mother's breast.

Therefore, they still need help via milk bottles or other tools. This depends on the age of the baby at birth and the health of the baby.

In some conditions, including for babies born prematurely, the baby is not ready to breastfeed directly at the mother's breast.

It will take a long time, gradually and slowly and will require proper breastfeeding for premature babies.

When the baby first feeds on the breast, there is a chance that he will not be able to suckle the mother's breast properly and the mother will feel pain.

However, mothers must be patient and keep teaching the baby until they can suckle directly at the breast.

Here are some ways you can breastfeed premature babies:

1. Pump breast milk early and regularly

Breast milk should be the main food for premature babies.

The development of the digestive system of premature babies is not yet complete. That is why, he needs food that is easier to digest.

Given that premature babies really need adequate breast milk intake, it is important for you to strive for breast milk that is not only abundant but also high quality.

This is one of the most viable ways to breastfeed a premature baby.

To launch breast milk production shortly after giving birth, you can pump breast milk earlier.

Quoted from Winchester Hospital, start pumping breast milk as soon as possible while it is still colostrum.

Furthermore, you need to pump your breast milk more frequently at least 8 times a day or consistently even if the output is not so much.

It is recommended to pump breastmilk once every 2-3 hours during the day and once every 3-4 hours at night.

It is important for you to be calm and not be too anxious because your psychological condition will affect the quantity of breast milk produced later.

Although breast milk is easier to digest than formula milk for premature babies, formula milk can still be an alternative.

You can give formula milk when milk production is not possible for the baby.

However, formula given to premature babies should be based on the recommendation of your doctor.

2. Breastfeeding premature babies with assistive devices

Premature babies who have just been born, at 34 weeks of gestation, for example, do not yet have the ability to suck milk from the mother's breast.

This is one of the characteristics of premature babies.

Even though you cannot breastfeed premature babies directly, your little one can still get regular breast milk intake.

The next way to breastfeed premature babies is to use assistive devices.

Premature babies need assistive devices such as a tube placed in their nose or mouth that will drain the milk directly into the stomach.

In addition, you can still breastfeed premature babies without having to first pump breast milk using a lactation tube.

This tube will connect the milking nipple directly to your baby.

This aid will help premature babies get used to feeding directly from your breast later.

3. Apply the technique kangaroo mother care (KMC)

KMC or the kangaroo method is highly recommended for babies born prematurely or born with low birth weight.

This method, which is one of the treatments for premature babies, can also increase the life expectancy of premature babies and babies with birth weight less than 2 kg.

This is because the kangaroo method can control the baby's body temperature to reduce the risk of infection.

In addition, the most important thing in the process of breastfeeding premature babies is that this method can help the baby to breastfeed directly and increase breastfeeding.

How to breastfeed a premature baby on the kangaroo method can also be calledkangaroo nutrition.

This technique can be done by inserting the baby into the mother's clothes and placing it right on the chest so that the mother's skin is directly in contact with the baby's skin.

Babies should not wear clothes that cover their entire body.

The position of the baby is then secured with a tie cloth or long cloth so that the baby does not fall when the mother moves.

Kangaroo method care should be done gradually and continuously.

4. Sitting position for breastfeeding premature babies at home

The position of breastfeeding a premature baby will be very different from the position of breastfeeding a baby born at a normal age.

Premature babies are more easily drowsy when feeding and have poor suction reflexes.

Some are not even strong enough to get large amounts of milk.

In order for the baby to stay awake and easily reach your breasts, apply this method of breastfeeding premature babies.

Try the breastfeeding position where the baby is sitting on your lap instead of holding him.

Firmly support the head and shoulders with one hand that you rarely use.

Meanwhile, the other hand that is often used for activities can be used to support your baby's chin or cheeks.

If your premature baby is exclusively breastfed, doctors usually recommend that you eat foods that are high in multivitamins and iron.

What is LBW milk good for premature babies?

Low birth weight (LBW) babies usually occur in preterm birth.

This is because the development of the body of a baby who is born prematurely has not grown to the size of a baby who is born at term.

Well, babies born prematurely plus having LBW need good intake, namely breast milk (ASI) from the beginning of birth.

However, if breastfeeding is not possible, you can provide good or standard LBW milk for premature babies.

According to WHO as the world health agency, premature babies who experience LBW need to get formula milk with special standards until they are 6 months old.

Only after that, premature babies with LBW can start learning to eat complementary foods (complementary foods).

LBW premature babies need a good intake of formula milk or according to standards to meet their needs.

Usually, there is milk that is specially formulated for LBW babies.

The nutritional content in milk has generally been designed according to the needs of premature babies who experience LBW.

To be clearer, you can consult further with your doctor to get good LBW milk suggestions for premature babies.