Hi Bonnie, 

Jean Cotterman's already given you lots of good help with this baby, but I thought I'd share my experience, too.


It sounds like this baby has oral aversion.  Many premies have it due to all the negative input that they experience to their oral region.  I would suggest that this baby needs to have a visit with a good OT, especially one who can do some cranio-sacral work on the baby.  Some NICUs have an OT on staff who should be experienced in working with premie feeding issues.  The OT may also be able to help with any sensory integration issues that the premie may have as well


I was lucky my premie didn't have any sucking issues once she was able to go to breast.  (We did work on desensitizing her mouth area while she was in the NICU, but that's all.) My oldest granddaughter did, however.  She was born at term via c-section "assisted" by vacuum extraction.  Poor little Addie's suck was so messed up!  She couldn't nurse, but she struggled with the bottle, too.  One of my friends, Alice Ernest, recommended that Addie see an OT who also did CST.  Several sessions of therapy (oral desensitization, sensory work, and finally CST) helped Addie finally latch on.  


Warmly,
Carol Kelley,   Breastfeeding USA Couselor,  Upcountry SC Chapter
Taylors, SC, USA

 





>________________________________
>Date:    Tue, 23 Oct 2012 13:40:47 -0400
>From:    Bonnie Logsdon <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Getting Premie to the Breast
>
>Hello All,
>
>PTP: Mom delivered by emergency C/S related to HELLP syndrome at 30 weeks gestation. Baby was in the NICU for 2 months with all the usual intubation, monitoring, bottlefeeding, etc.  Attempted nursing several times in NICU with nipple shield and without. Now that she is home she has tried getting in the bath with baby and offering breast 2-3 times per day when baby is alert. Mom has been using the nipple shield at home but has also tried without the shield. Baby will latch, suckle once or twice and come off frustrated. Mom has a great milk supply and extremely dedicated to pumping every 3 hours. She has had a lot of trouble with bottle feeding too and seems to have a mouth aversion(getting feeding eval next week). She fights many of her feeds and often only takes a small amount before becoming agitated and downright angry. She is gaining a little slower than the doctor wants and they have considered tube feedings again but mom is trying to hold them
 off.  Is getting 1 teaspoon of Neosure for every 100ml of breastmilk. I have advised baths, deep breast compressions, offering full breast, offering breast when sleepy/tired. She really wants to get this baby breastfeeding and I welcome any advice/suggestions.  
>*Note: My friend has seen several LC's both in hospital and outpatient. I have been providing information via phone, email, text as we don't live near.
>
>Thanks so much!
>Bonnie Logsdon
>
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