Although I work in a facility with a level 1 nursery, we often have 35 weekers. They are sometimes difficult because their levels of maturity can vary widely. First, I want to agree that I think 45 minutes-1 hour/feed is too long for this type of preemie. This baby is spending an inordinate amount of time trying to feed (and not necessarily efficiently)and is probably using up valuable calories in the process. I have learned from one of the specialists around here that a premature (or underweight baby) will NOT feed well unless they gain weight and have the energy to brestfeed efficiently. So, in this case, I think the long feeds may be contributing to the lack of an acceptable weight gain. This mother should be encouraged to pump (even if her supply is adequate whichis probably is). She shoudl concentrate on building her supply while letting the baby practice at breast. Then if her milk can be given with fortifier (yes, maybe by bottle)the baby is lkely to gain faster, have more energy and be discharged sooner. If this baby goes to breast already and Mom is motivated, baby will probably transition easily to breast when it has the energy and physical strength to do so. It doesn't sound as though the NICU nurse weighed the baby properly for that pre/post weight, but we don't really have the facts. They should be looking at gram weights, anyway. Are they? She should make sure of that. I have followed a couple of 35 week babies in the community and I was in one home for 5 weeks until that baby really got it together. It is not going to happen overnight. At this stage of the game, I feel that MOM should pump to keep herslef stimulated and to have a good supply, let the baby practice often but for shorter periods of time, and juts let the baby be fed her milk as easily as possible. If that baby can keep from using too many calories at breast at this juncture, I feel the baby will probably go home sooner. Remember, the goal is to get as much breastmilk into this baby as possible to assure optimal growth. With that growth will come the strength to get her milk directly from the breast. Betsy Riedel RNC, IBCLC Connecticut *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html