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@MrsSRS: hey, cutie! So that was 30 weeks? So sweet - those big eyes.
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Okay, so possibly silly question - if bub ends up in nicu or longer term special care, when can you feed them? I understand they'll be too little to breastfeed immediately, but I would still really like to try and do it again.
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@MrsRcCar: she's mostly confused but doing okay. Asks lots of questions and is always asking where the baby is; I think in her mind, mum in hospital = baby has arrived. But she's hanging in there too. She's been a bit naughty at home from what I've heard, but all things considered, she's amazing.
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@jaguar: when E was in the NICU I pumped because he had an NG tube. We ended up with a wonderful nursing relationship. He nursed for 28 months.
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@jaguar: From my understanding, I think it depends on the baby and their individual needs. You can definitely start pumping right away. A friend of mine had a 25-weeker and she pumped from the get go. I think he was able to get breastmilk fairly early on but was bottle fed pumped milk once he could suck because he wasn't able to nurse.
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@MrsRcCar: Georgia had a tube for about a week after birth & I was pumping for her too - I just remember it took a while to get the hang of feeding after. I guess I was more worried with a baby who is smaller and in there longer, whether I would miss the boat on it this time.
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@jaguar: A gf of mine had her mo-mo twins at 32 weeks and was able to successfully breastfeed both girls for a year.
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@jaguar: do you have access to LC while you are in the hospital? Or perhaps can they set up a phone call to an LC at the hospital with the large NICU? It is so important to have support from all sides to have a successful breastfeeding relationship. It took E a little while to get it but he also had a lip and tongue tie. Once revised we used a shield for a bit I know other preemie moms have had great success nursing even with their little ones coming so early. I will see if I can find the resources and wall them to you.
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@jaguar: I started pumping when the twins were born and in the NICU. I would give them what I had and they would use that (Plus fortifiers... Added calories) before using formula. If you can pump every 2-3 hours, they can give your baby girl your pumped milk. Even with an NG tube.
I know depending on how early she is born, my NICU would let me breastfeed them for only 20-30 minutes, then give them fortified pumped milk or formula. Before 34-35 weeks, they burn a lot of calories trying to breastfeed. After 30 minutes of breastfeeding they are using too much energy. And you know being in the NICU, they want the babies to grow. Also, the babies are so small and don't have much muscle tone... something as simple as breastfeeding could easily exhaust them. Also, as we know, full term babies learn how to efficiently get milk out. Preemie babies are a little bit behind. Giving them breast milk or formula by bottle just gives them a little bit of help in the early days. I can't speak for it myself, but after they do get stronger, I don't see why someone can't EBF. Once they get the strength, gain the weight and latch, you could say goodbye to the bottle.
I think they let me breastfeed the babies 3 times a day and either gave fortified breastmilk or formula at the other feedings.
Come to think of it, they told me to continue with the max 3 breastfeeding and fortified pumped milk when they were discharged 15 days after they were born. At that point, my pediatrician still had me add formula powder to pumped milk. Breastmilk is about 19-20 calories and fortified breastmilk or formula is 22-24 calories. Those extra calories helps preemie babies grow.
If I continued pumping, I wonder if my pediatrician would still limit my breastfeeding sessions. I guess it would depend on how my babies were gaining weight.
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Dylan was 880 grams at birth...
Feeding starts at 34 weeks -
Glad you figured out my typo ERIC =ER. .... haha.
Random googling....hopefully fun things and not going down the rabbit hole.
Interesting thought on BF! I definitely second getting a LC support from the get go!
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Thanks guys. That's the sort of info I wanted to hear. They will definitely have a LC here but I'm trying not to get too invested yet as I may still need to move to the other hospital - so just playing it by ear for now.
So many little expectations I just have to adjust in my mind. We will get there, I hope.
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@jaguar: you can definitely plan and read a bit for pumping. Not super likely that you'll be able to avoid it altogether u less baby really stays put!
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@jaguar: I started pumping before I even held DS for the first time. It was over a week before he could take a bottle or nurse, but ultimately we nursed well past a year. He came home from the NICU on half pumped and fortified bottles and half nursing and we were able to slowly drop bottles over time. Nursing burns more calories than bottling, so they sometimes can't afford the exertion all the time.
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@MrsSRS: @Mrs Green Grass: Thanks girls. I wasn't allowed to breastfeed Georgia for the first few days of her special care stay (she was 36+3 but had no feeding/sucking abilities at birth) and was pumping 3 hourly. And then pumped a good six months at home for topping up feeds.
Just feels surreal to be preparing to do that again! It suddenly feels like just yesterday!!
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@jaguar: I bet!
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@Mrs Green Grass: Now I'm trying to remember when DS'S suck swallow breathe started working. 33 weeks? 34? So every baby is different for sure! Fingers crossed you get a good eater.
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Been following along - yay for 30 weeks! Keep cooking, kiddo!
My husband's cousin had a baby at 25w. I got a book for the baby's older sister that Beth said was really helpful for her to understand and not be afraid of the NICU. It was called "My Brother is a Preemie." I found it on Amazon. Just a suggestion for Georgia!
ETA: They have "My Sister..." also!
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@MrsSRS: I clearly remember waiting u til 34 but my little guy didn't get it for ages and ages (past his due date). And bf'ing was a no go
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@Mrs Green Grass: oops I meant to reply to @jaguar: but I must have clicked you. Sorry! Yeah, I think 34 is supposed to be the earliest babies might get that ability. My memory of those days is so spotty!
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@littlebug: That is a great idea! Thank you! xx
@Mrs Green Grass: @MrsSRS: Okay, so 34+ might become my DREAM milestone, haha.
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@MrsSRS: @jaguar: yup, 34 weeks is the suck swallow and breathe. My babies were 34w1d old at birth and they didn't have that ability when they were born. It took a few days. Although, they did have an NG tube for the first few days. It's hard to swallow, breathe and suck if you have something up your nose. They did do much better eating wise once the NG tube was gone. But I know they were able to get more nutrients quicker and not exhaust any energy because of the NG tube.
I wonder if had they been closer to 35 weeks, if they would have needed an NG tube.
34 weeks is still a great NICU milestone.
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@bluestriped bee: Georgia had an NG tube at 36 weeks for the first 6 days, she didn't have that reflex down then either. I guess each baby is different hey?
New roommate in my shared room... bit awkward up in here, especially at pessary o-clock!
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Just wanting to send some love. I hope that your sweet girl keeps put for a while longer.
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@ALV91711: Thank you! This bebe and I appreciate all the love.
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@jaguar: that sucks! I'll send vibes on getting that private room back..
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@jaguar: Oh no! A shared room?! That's a bummer. Do you have the option of getting a private room?
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@jaguar: Sending good baby-cooking vibes, and second/third/fourthing that you look fantastic!
@MrsSRS: That is one cute baby!
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@erinbaderin: oh thank you. So glad they haven't taken my shower privileges off me. It's the only thing that makes me feel human!
@Mrs Green Grass: would appreciate them. So far in the last 8 days I've had two bunk mates. Both preggos too.
@agold: not at the moment. The maternity ward is full of private rooms but priority of course goes to the new mums with newborns. The antenatal rooms are both shared only. Just have to hope for some quiet periods!
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My newest irrational fear is that baby girl is moving so much that she's going to punch a hole in the amniotic sac and break my waters. She's so low down it is making me jumpy!
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@jaguar: if it makes you feel any better, I had the same irrational fears during my second pregnancy and had no pre-term labor concerns! Hang in there mama, you're doing great!
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More bad news.
So last Tuesday before hospital bed rest, my cervix was barely hanging in there at 0.7cm and funneling. Today we re-checked, and the news was worse.
Baby's head is engaged. My cervix has completely effaced and has dilated to 1.5cm. You can see my membranes and baby's head with a speculum.
I'm waiting on my OB to visit to follow up, but the MFM Doctor already rang him concerned from the ultrasound rooms - and it looks like a transfer to the larger Public Hospital for their nicu team, as they doubt I'll get to 32 weeks.
I am freaking out right now.
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@jaguar: thinking of you and baby!!
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@jaguar: well I hope that everything works out and even if it means NiCU time that babe is healthy!
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@jaguar: thinking of you. I was on hospital bed rest for a few weeks but for different reasons. It gets lonely so I'm glad your family has been able to visit.
We saw several babies in the NICU who were born early and they were doing great. Hope your little one stays inside for a little longer.
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@jaguar: Sending lots of love and good thoughts your way! You and baby girl will do amazing whenever the time comes.
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@jaguar: I'm sorry you didn't get the news you were good for. Hopefully you can get transferred quickly and baby continues to cooperate and bake for as long as she can. Sending lots of positive baby baking vibes your way.
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Thinking of you and hoping baby girl will keep baking a little while longer!
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Thinking of you hon and hoping for a good delivery!
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Sending loads and loads of positive thoughts your way.
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@jaguar: Hoping baby girl stays put!
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