EASY for a Preemie? Weighs 5 pounds 14 ounces.

[Mydreamcametrue]

I was wondering if anyone had a preemie that they started on EASY or did they pretty much just follow the baby's schedule.

My son was born last Monday and is now 1 week old.  I used EASY with my 2 year old son, so I know how great it works.  I did not find the BW site though until he was like 4 mos. old, so I wanted to make sure I got off to a good start this time.

I know her books suggest starting EASY from day one, but not sure about a preemie.  He was born 3.5 weeks early and weighed 5 lbs 14 oz.  He lost some weight at first, but is back to his birth weight now. 

We are having an extremely hard time keeping him awake to finish a 2 oz. bottle.  I am pumping and feeding him with a bottle so I know he is getting what he needs.

He seems to want to eat every 2 1/2 to 3 hours, but at times he seems hungry in between and then as soon as you stick the bottle in his mouth, he falls fast asleep and will not wake up.

So should I just stick with a 2.5 EASY or a 3 hour EASY and don't feed in between??? 

Any suggestions?  Thank you, Wendy

[woopster]

Hi Wendy, at this age I wouldn't worry about following EASY. Just let him eat and sleep and go with the flow.  That's all he will want to do at the moment.
My son is now 8 weeks old and still eats 2.5 - 3 hourly. 

Feed as often as he is hungry. He will stretch out his feeds as he gets older.

[Grace's Mom]

I agree, most lo's don't get on a real EASY until closer to 6-8 weeks.  Just use this time to really get to know your lo and spend time loving and caring for him.  This time, as you know, goes by way too fast so don't sweat the small stuff.    It sounds like your lo is doing wonderfully!   

Be sure to check out our EASY FAQ's as there is some great information there on how to start your baby on EASY and other great information.

Here is a link to the EASY FAQ's
https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?board=82.0

Melissa

[Mydreamcametrue]

Thank you!  I totally agree, I just did not want to get started on the wrong foot. 

[~S~]

My lo2 was 5 wks early but I had the first BW book from the library, and it didn't seem to really address preemies.  But I think BWSAYP does, b/c when I got, I remembering .  It seems that regular BW starts at 6lbs.  I started BW, as much as I could when we got home.

OK looked in BWSAYP, BW starts really at their adjusted age and or 6-6 1/2 lbs.  If you are having supply probs, which can happen b/c of weaker sucking, then feed every 2hrs and/or pump.  There are alot of pages in the index refering to preemies, but that was the jist as far as feeding.  HTH

[woopster]

You probably don't realise it, but you ARE following EASY.  You feed, change baby's nappy (activity - all they need right now) and sleep.  Just because you are doing it more frequently than 3/4 hourly doesn't mean you're not doing it.

[rinajack]

I agree.

I am demand feeding, but still doing BW because for us, although it is anywhere from 2-4 hrs between day feeds, it is the order of events that is important, not the timing.

[JennŠ]

I agree with the others.  We did a 2 hr easy with our preemie for 3-4 months.  (don't panic, it was the reflux).   

[Mydreamcametrue]

Thanks so much.  He is actually at 6 lbs. now!  Well he was 5 lbs 15 oz. oz. yesterday, so 1 oz. away.  I guess you are right, I am pretty much doing EASY, they just dont have as much activity time.

I guess I do demand feeding also.  If he is acting hungry and it has only been 2  hours or 1 1/2 hours, I feed him, but then he does not eat much at all.  If he has not eaten in 3 hours, I wake to feed to get his weight up. 

Rina:  Are you nursing?  Did you have latch problems?  My lo will not stay on.  I am taking fenugreek to increase my suplly and pumping every 2 to 3 hours, but I have a feeling that will not last for long. 

[rinajack]

Hi Wendy, yes I am nursing.  We have no latch issues though, and I actually have oversupply.

Hugh does pop on and off during some feeds though.  He won't stay on if he has to be burped (some feeds this is very often!).  He won't stay on properly if I feed him before he tells me he is hungry.  And he comes off at every let down at least once because my let down is very strong and fast, and sometimes I even choke him with the fast flow.

Here is a link that Emma sent me (samuels mum) that might help you with your latch issues.  Also have you had a midwife or lactation consultant come and check it out and give you any advice?

http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/newman.shtml

Also, my DD was very small also when she was born and I found that she needed help to support the breast (I am big breasted) as it was too heavy and her suck wasn't strong enough.  I found the football hold much better for her as she was tucked kind of under the breast, so that took the weight of the breast, she fed much much better in that hold.

In that hold, you have baby lying on their back, body tucked under your armpit on the side you are feeding, feet first.  You can support their back with your forearm, and their head is cupped in your hand, and you bring them to the breast in that position.  If I haven't explained this well, please let me know, and I will try to explain again, and find you a link to something to try to show you.

If it helps you understand better, this is also the position used for tandem feeding for twins.

[Mydreamcametrue]

Rina:  That is the hold that worked for us in the hospital.  I actually got him to latch on pretty good there.  At night though, He stayed in the nursery and they bottle feed him and then once we got home I continued to bottle feed EBM (once it came in) to make sure he was getting at least 2 oz. at each feed.  My doctor was really worried because he had a weight check at was still losing weight and he was very constipated.  She said he was not getting enough fluids.

3 days later though he gained all his weight back and pooping normal. 

So I am sure I messed him up by starting the bottle so soon and he has gotten used to it.  I have actually gotten used to it also, because I know for sure what he is eating. 

I am still trying to nurse though and we will see how it goes.  For now I am able to pump enough for his feedings, but I know it want last.

I will check out that link you sent me.  Thanks!

[rinajack]

Wendy

Some people successfully pump for a very long time, although it must be very draining for you (I pumped in hospital due to tube feeding, and found it exhausting!).  There are things you can take other than fenugreek that may help, the BF mods will know.

However, if you were to choose to try to go back to nursing, I think you would succeed with some perseverence.  Now that your lo's weight is fine, maybe it would be worth it to give it a go with no bottles, even if just for a couple of days?  That might be all it takes...you could weigh more often during that time if you are worried.

I would think if you want to return to nursing, sooner would be easier than later.   The BF mods are absolutely brilliant, so maybe if you want to give that a go, get some advice from them first, in a seperate post.

I plan to let DH do a night feed for me this weekend, with a bottle of EBM.  If I have any trouble with BF after that, I will be going to them for advice too (DD refused breast after just one bottle at 10 weeks old, and it ended our BFing relationship ).