Hi Lynn,
It sounds to me that these babies are not yet 'good enough' feeders to
get all the calories they need at the breast.  That would be the
simplest explanation for them wanting to bf all day "for comfort", which
often translates to feeding inefficiently all day in order to try to get
enough calories.  They would be happy on abm because they would get more
calories.  Sometimes a minimal weight gain is not enough...
        If I were working with these babies, I would recommend that mom pump
hindmilk for 10 mins or so after feedings, and give that as a complement
at breast to increase feeding efficiency at the next feeding.  I like to
use a 5 french feeding tube on a 30cc syringe, and give the babies a
bolus of milk when they stop sucking actively, to 'jump start' them.
Mom needs to be taught to distinguish between breathing breaks, which
are necessary, and just hanging out at the breast without transferring
milk.  The increased efficiency of feeds leads to shorter feedings,
which allows the mom the time to pump the complement for the next feed.
It generally takes a week or two for the milk supply to increase and the
infants to develop a more sustained suck before the complements can be
eliminated.
        Let me know if you decide to try this.
--
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  New York City  mailto:[log in to unmask]

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