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Preemie Books
Living Miracles: Stories of Hope from Parents of Premature Babies
by Kimberly Powell &
Kim Wilson
Life on the Reflux Roller Coaster
by Roni Maclean
The
Pregnancy Bed Rest Book by Amy E Tracy, Richard H Schwarz
The
Preemie Parents Companion: The Essential Guide to Caring for Your Premature Baby
in the Hospital, at Home, and Through the First Years by Susan L Madden M.S,
William Sears MD, Jane E Stewart MD
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***Because
preemies have very specific issues, I have not addressed their special needs in
this context. There is information available from La Leche League International
on the special situation of breastfeeding a preemie.
Breastfeeding the
Hospitalized Baby
Quick Checklist
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1. Pump or hand express
frequently--if the baby is in ICU, you may be able to draw the privacy
curtain and stay at baby's bedside to do this--ASK!
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2. Save all milk--It is
better to have extra that you don't need than to need more than you have!
Here is a quick reference:
Colostrum-stable at 80.6-89.6 degrees F for 12-24 hours.
Mature Milk-
59-60 degrees F-24 hours
66-71.6 degrees F-10 hours
79 degrees F-4 to 8 hours
Regrigerator-5-8 days
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3. If at all possible,
put baby to breast for all feedings, even if baby won't nurse. The
stimulation will be helpful for your pumping efforts as well as baby's
future success.
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4. Try to avoid rubber
nipples--supplemental feedings can be given using a cup, spoon, syringe, SNS,
or NG tube. You finger can be used to meet baby's additional sucking needs.
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5. Eat and drink as much
as possible and try to rest.
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6. Find a support person
and don't be afraid to ask for qualified help.
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7. Remember, YOU are the
one with the final say in all matters. Even though your baby is sick, he is
still YOUR baby, and he needs you now more than ever.
If you have any questions or
comments, please email: CyndiMom23@aol.com.
Cyndi Egbert is a former La
Leche League Leader and sometime childbirth educator with three children, all of
whom were breastfed. She remains active in breastfeeding promotion, childbirth
forums and special-needs parent advocacy.
Her third child was born
with a congenital syndrome that included palate abnormalities and severe heart
defects. After a very difficult start, she was able to successfully nurse this
very special child and decided to share her experience with other mothers facing
the same circumstances.
http://members.aol.com/cyndimom23
Copyright
© 1998 Cyndi Egbert. All rights reserved. Please e-mail
all reprint requests to Cyndi at: CyndiMom23@aol.com.
Breastfeeding the Hospitalized Baby-Main Text
Appendix A:
Glossary of Useful Terms
Appendix B: Chain of Command
Appendix C: Where to Find Help
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