JMHO, based on my personal sample size n=2.

Child number 1, female, born at 42 and 1/2 weeks.  Emergency C-sec(long
story). Despite initial separation and delay in initiating breastfeeding till
day 4(!), nursed well with transient latch problems, easily overcome with the
calm  assistance and reassurance of my wonderful IBCLC(thank you, Chris
Mulford.)

Child number 2, male, born at 37 and 1/2 weeks. A more difficult combination
of disordered sucking problems in this otherwise healthy" full-term" child
would be hard for me to imagine.  Suffice it to say that as soon as I put him
to breast, I knew something was very wrong. It took close to 4 months, and
the input of many knowledgable helpers,  to work through all the issues
involved.

My point is  that despite being medically stable, with a birth weight of 8
and 1/2 pounds, my ostensibly full-term son was literally an entire month
younger than my other "full-term"child.  There are a whole lot of ways that
he just wasn't "fully cooked", including the neurological fine-tuning and
motor control needed for successful nursing.   The child who was "fully
cooked" was able to overcome all of the insults of medical intervention  in
order to nurse competently.

Based on my admittedly limited experience, I wouldn't *expect* that any 36
weeker, multiple, singleton, or polka-dot, to nurse as well as a child who
has had the benefit of another 3-4 weeks at "hotel mom".  Not that I wouldn't
be pleased as punch if they did.  :)

Merry Christmas to all those celebrating,
happy restfull day to all others

Karen Kavesh in Philadelphia

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