Search Results for: blog principles in breastfeeding a preemie

Breastfeeding Preemies in a NICU is Different

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Breast milk is absolutely the best food you can give your newborn. Not only does it provide numerous immunological benefits, but the breast milk of a mother who has given birth too early contains substantially more calorie packing fat than does the breast milk of a mother who has given birth at a full 40 weeks gestation. One difficulty in breastfeeding a preemie for some mothers is that good practices in giving breast milk to a preemie while he/she is in the NICU may well go against everything that the new mother has read or heard about breastfeeding. Here are … Continue reading →

Ask a Baby Blogger: You Said Not to Pump. . .But They Said to Pump

Question: Hi. I’ve read most of your blogs on breastfeeding and first, thank you so much. We’ve had a rough start and my baby was in the NICU for a few weeks so I had to pump. But when she came home, I stopped pumping because I had read somewhere that you said pumping does not increase your supply. However, the nurses in the hospital said I need to keep pumping to keep up my supply because the baby won’t suck effectively. What’s your advice? First of all, you’re welcome and I’m glad you’re breastfeeding your baby. You’re right. I … Continue reading →

Valorie’s Breastfeeding Index

Later today I will post a review of the baby blog of 2007 so why does breastfeeding get its own category? Well, in part as an answer to readers who want to read what I’ve written on breastfeeding. I’ve written so much on breastfeeding at this point that you all have asked for an index of sorts so it’s easier to find what you’re looking for. It’s also in part because I’ve become known as the breastfeeding lady. . .guru. . .whatever you want to call it. I’ve been at this breastfeeding business for a long time and many of … Continue reading →

Babies in the News: Earliest Living Preemie ‘Almost ‘ Goes Home

When I started writing this post yesterday, the title was “Earliest Living Preemie Goes Home” but apparently doctors decided not to release her. Just the same, I’m sure she’ll be released soon (within the month). Her story pushes the envelope of medical technology, what doctors understand about viability, and the miracle of NICU medicine. Little Amilia Taylor was born just under 22 weeks gestational age by cesarean due to complications with the mother. Doctors would not normally deliver a baby this premature but Amilia’s husband misinformed the doctors and said she was at 23 weeks gestation. So they intervened and … Continue reading →

Ask a Baby Blogger: You Said To Feed On Demand but. . .

. . .I didn’t. I breastfed on a schedule and it worked much better for me! This was not really a question but rather some sentiments shared in the comment section on my first blog on this topic. Two moms, Anna and Julie shared that they had tried both breastfeeding on cue and breastfeeding on a schedule and schedule feeding worked better for them. I started to leave a comment and before I knew it, I had written a whole other blog. So here it is, what can happen if you don’t breastfeed on demand, why it probably worked for … Continue reading →

Ask a Baby Blogger: Should I Wake My Baby to Breastfeed?

Question: My baby sleeps several hours at a time during the night. I’m worried that he isn’t getting enough milk and that my supply will decrease. Should I let him sleep or wake him up to nurse? Also, the nurses in the hospital said that I had to wake him every 2 hours to breastfeed–is that true? Sometimes there are clear answers to questions we are asked. In this case, however, I can tell you what I’ve done with my own children and give some guidelines but in general my answer is as follows: Are you kidding me? Get all … Continue reading →

Your Preemie

The statistics tell us that one out of every eight babies is born before the pregnancy achieves 37 weeks and these babies are considered premature. Thanks to our modern medicine and research in areas in pediatric health, preemies have a greater chance at survival and a long life. Infants born at 28 weeks and weighing just 2 pounds have a 95% survival rate and that’s amazing. So It’s Time To Bring Your Preemie Home No matter when your preemie was born, as they grow stronger and get healthier – there will come a time when you are ready to bring … Continue reading →

Baby Blog’s Week in Review – September 30 – October 6

Valorie’s been doing a great job with the Baby Blog this week, I spent a lot of my time focused elsewhere, but I’m working on getting re-engaged here. Here are some of the articles we featured this week in case you missed any. Saturday, September 30th In Painless Portraits Valorie talked about ways you can get pictures of your darling little ones without going through a lot of pain and anxiety. In 10 Great Baby Products to Make Life Easier Valorie described some great products including the Bunk Barrier to help keep little ones from climbing into an older child’s … Continue reading →

Principles in Breastfeeding a Preemie

Something that moms of preemies understand that the “normal” mothers don’t is that preemies have unique challenges and their “preemie” status follows them for at least a few years. Moms of preemies are always talking about real age vs. adjusted age as an indicator of developmental markers and preemie moms generally have to be extra cautious about illness during the first few years of life. We all know that breast milk is the best food for your baby. It is the best food for preemies as it contains valuable antibodies to ward off sickness and it contains extra fat to … Continue reading →

Will You Walk for Babies?

The March of Dimes has recently revamped itself and is now the March for Babies–but the founding principle is the same. Marchers get sponsors to donate money to help for research to improve the quality of life of disabled and premature babies. Most marches are taking place April 27 and now is the time to sign up. Will you march? Prematurity In the United States, prematurity affects approximately 10% of families. I had never contemplated it much until I got pregnant with twins. At 24 weeks, we were told to prepare for birth in as early as 7 weeks. That … Continue reading →