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Breast milk

yani2
  • By yani2
  • Posted November 2, 2009 at 2:57 pm · 14 replies
  • In Open discussion
  • Shared with the public
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When I had my baby I had no doubt I was going to breasfeed her. I did with my first baby(full term) and he's been very healthy. I read on a book that they gave me at the Nicu and other internet articles that when you have a premature baby your bm is packed with more good nutrients than the bm from a full term. That made me even happier to know that I was helping my little one.
Last time I took her for her follow up visit , the Dr. said to make sure she would get the 22 cal. formula too which is ok with me, but he said something to me that made me feel really sad. He said "bm is for full terms". So I guess my bm is not better than the bm from having a full term baby like I read on the book.

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Stress Premature babies

14 replies

TrinketMama

That doctor is full of it. Breast milk is the best for ANY baby, especially preemies. There are antibodies and immunities that are impossible to replicate elsewhere. Our preemies have compromised immune systems, and breast milk will help to protect them from disease and illness. My baby also had to have a twice daily supplement of NeoSure formula. Her pediatrician explained that it was just for a few months for extra vitamins. She told us it should not be considered a breast milk replacement, because breast milk is superior to everything else. Keep giving your baby your Superpower Mama Milk...there's NOTHING better!!

beckhamsmom

Breast milk is wonderful for premature babies as well as FT babies. I am not sure how old your LO is, but there are differences in breastmilk of moms who delivered early, especially in the early milk. If you are wanting your baby to have breast milk, I would encourage you to do so. This was my goal as well. With our DS, bfeeding was not possible, but he was able to get bm because I pumped. Fortunately I have been able to maintain a good supply. This may not work for everyone, but I stay home and so was able to pump frequently.

I used a hospital grade pump and am still using it ( I eventually bought one off of ebay - the Lactina). From birth to 15 months old (12 adjusted) DS received BM with added formula for extra calories (Neosure 30 cal, then Good Start to 27 cal). At 15 months we started Pediasure, but I told the Nutritionist that I wanted to keep pumping. From 15 months - 18 months he received 50/50 of Pediasure and BM mixed with Good Start (to 27 cal). Then from 18 months to hopefully 27 months (24 months actual) he gets 75% Pediasure / 25% BM / Good Start (to 27 cal).

I truly believe the BM has helped him stay healthy since leaving the NICU (that was almost 16 months ago and he has only had one minor earache). Like I wrote above, this may not work for everyone. It is not how I envisioned prior to DS' arrival, but I feel like it was the right decision for our DS.

katek

I would find a new doctor. Your doctor appears not to have read the countless studies on the benefits of BM for preemies. If anything, the benefits are even more important for preemies than FT babies.

One of the benefits of BM is myelination, which is the coating of the neural pathways (helping brain development). The research generally shows that preemies end up with less brain mass than full-term babies. That is believed to be associated with IQ. My understanding is that while BM won't grow extra mass, it will help protect the pathways that are there.

Antibodies. BM transfers mom's antibodies to baby. My impression from the literature is that preemies are generally no more likely to catch stuff than FT babies BUT when they do catch colds/flu, their less developed lungs struggle more. Consequently, giving babies antibodies is a good thing.

If your baby needs 22 cal per oz, you can use formula to fortify expressed BM. That is very commonly done.

And the research is pretty darn clear that BM babies are less likely to contract NEC in the NICU. There are exceptions of course. By statistically, the odds of getting NEC are REDUCED for BM babies as opposed to formula babies.

There are circumstances, however, that may necessitate a move from BM to formula. For example, some kids simply require elemental formulas (also called hypoallergenic formulas or amino acid formulas) b/c they don't react well to cow's milk proteins from formula or from BM. Also, pumping takes a lot of time. If a mother doesn't have the physical support to pump b/c she is also the primary caregiver, that may suggest a move to formula (not uncommon for mothers of multiples and/or mothers who have other children in addition to preemie to take care of).

What I find assine is a blanket statement by a doctor that "bm is for full terms." It is factually incorrect and goes against decades of empirical research.

yani2

My baby is a little bit over 4 months old, 1 1/2 adjusted age. She's been doing good, only a few spells sometimes.
beckhamsmom ,
how do you get your milk supply to increase just by pumping. I work M-F and since my little one has been bottle fed she won't bf very long , besides I've been sick twice this month(colds, maybe the flu) and I'm afraid to hold her and make her sick. I bought the Medela Pump-in-Style I think that's what's called, not sure. Is that good enough?

I did not think I was goint to be able to afford to rent one for a whole year and they told me the one I got was almost just as good as the one for the hospital. is that true?
I'm usually a 1/2 oz short for her feedings some times less. any advice?

Henrysmom

That doctor is an idiot and I would find a new one. Just to add to what everyone else has stated, mothers to preemies often times make higher calorie bm. The hospital where Henry was born tested my BM and it came back as 24 cal/oz. Your body knows you had a preemie and it does things to compensate for it. I don't know how long my bm stayed higher calorie, as it was only tested once, but that is proof that my body responded to having a preemie.

yani2

Very glad to hear that!!!!!!

beckhamsmom

I think that what you are doing is great. There are lots of ideas on how to increase supply, like herbs and teas, oatmeal etc. What worked for me was: drinking lots of water, rest, and adding an extra pump in the day. If I did an extra pump for a couple of days, a day or 2 later my supply would bump up. Also, I think the oatmeal worked a bit too. I think I had a secret weapon too though, DS' one primary is also a Lact. specialist and she is great. Very encouraging during his hospital stay (115 days) and even now.

The reason that we mixed each bottle to a higher formula... we didn't think of doing 2 bottles of high formula / the rest bm. That may be because he was on 30cal for awhile, so it wouldn't have worked. But I think that by giving him the mix, the taste was more consistent (other than the naturally different taste of bm based on mom's diet). Plus, if you are short on bm, there is still a way to get bm in each bottle. Say you only have enough for 75% bm - you can mix that bm to 22cal (with formula) and then make the other 25% you need from straight formula. We did this on occasion if I was having a low day / low supply. It can be like chemistry class mixing all of this up, but a nutritionist or Dr. will know how to make 22 cal formula (or 24, 27, 30 etc) - it will vary by brand.

Hope that all makes sense.

maddieangarrettsmom

My DD was a 28 weeker. She had nothing except breastmilk and did great. In fact her primary nurse in the NICU had my BM tested for its calorie content. It was way higher than BM is under normal deliveries! I believe that your body knows your baby needs more because she was early. They don't call BM liquid gold for no reason! Remember most peds Dr.s get lots of bonuses from the formula companies! You are doing the best thing for your baby!! Be proud of yourself!!

maddieangarrettsmom

I used the Medela Pump N Style when my DD was born at 28 weeks. It worked great for me. Although I pumped every two hrs round the clock for the first 2 months. Breatfeeding is all about supply and demand. So the more you pump or nurse the more you will produce. Also, make sure you are drinking LOTS of fluid. It took me more than a month to teach my daughter to nurse after we left the NICU. It was well worth every heartbreaking moment! Keep your chin up it will come.

yani2

thank you, thank you, thank you.......!!!!!!

Joshuasmommy

my doctors all told me that breastmilk was the best for my preemie son. they did have me fortify it with 22 calorie formula. which is fine because it helped him gain weight. i wouldn't stress yourself out. breastmilk is the best. it boosts their immune systems. also it helps prevent certain diseases for both of you.

inimitablea

Breastmilk is definitely better than formula for any baby, but sometimes preemies need the extra calories to grow more quickly (and be released to come home and cuddle).

My 8 week old preemie (38 week adjusted) was just released from the hospital last Thursday. He's been taking fortified breastmilk since birth. While at the hospital he was on breastmilk mixed with human milk fortifier making the milk anywhere up to 30 calories/oz, and now he's on Enfamil Enfacare Lipil. We currently are breastfeeding using a nipple shield 6+ times a day and are giving a bottle of breastmilk mixed with Enfacare to 22 calories/oz 2 times a day. To mix breastmilk to 22 calories, it's 1/4 teaspoon of Enfacare to 45 mL (1 1/2 oz) of milk.

ProjectGemini07

BULL! I'd find a new doctor. It's fine to supplement a preemie who on bm w/ some formula, but there's no reason you shouldn't give your preemie bm! Do not stop just because one doctor who clearly doesn't know their head from their hind-end said something stupid.

Doctors say stupid things all the time. My OB told me he "gave up" on one of my sons. What a jerk! If you feel right about giving your baby breastmilk then give it to her. Do not doubt your Mommy instinct. A doc could go to school for 40 years and still not have the knowledge that comes w/ Mommy instinct!!!

Plus your body knows the kind of milk your baby needs so for your doctor to even say that tells me that they don't clearly understand bm.

I did have the issue when my boys were nursing, that everyone assumed b/c I had twins that they were on formula. Sometimes doc's just assume you are on formula. It's your job to keep them straight and let them know this is your choice as a parent to provide this nutrition for your child.

laurakennedy77

I agree with everyone else. You need to find a new doctor! I wish that I had pressed the issue when I was told that I couldn't BF because DD needed 24-26 cal per oz. Nobody tested my BM to see what the calorie content was. I didn't even know that was possible until now! I think her appetite/intake was diminshed because of the high calorie formula. I wish I knew then what I know now because I would have insisted in a a trial period of straight breastfeeding to see if it would work. I really feel ripped off about the whole thing! If you feel strongly about it, don't let your opinions/feelings get pushed aside.

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