Breastfeeding Trouble - Fleming Island,FL

5 weeks premie makes her about 2 1/2 months. I had this issue with my first. They were 6 weeks early. They had latching issues but when we did try it would come out too fast. I was able to work that by pumping just a bit--literally one or 2 minutes to get the first bit out. Unfortunately they never truly got a good latch so ended up getting the milk in a bottle. And we had to use the first nipples instead of changing to the 6 mo etc as they grew older. It is normal for a newborn to tire and fall asleep, especially when a premie. And I know what you mean when every little thing makes you worry. It will get easier as she grows.

I had the same let down issue. I would nurse then as soon as I would feel the let down I would stop feeding and allow the rush of milk go into a cloth diaper or burp cloth.
My kids schedule was, as soon as the woke up they nursed. Then they had awake time, then nap time. This assured they were well rested to eat.
Hope this was helpful
D.

Just pump off a little of the beginning. That will help. Also, look on kellymom.com for info, tips and tricks to help with the fast letdown problem. I never had that so I don't want to give you bad advice.

But as the mom of a 32 weeker, I totally feel your anxiety! It's tough to get over for sure. But as long as she seems satisfied, goes about 2.5-3 hours between feeds, is gaining weight then she's getting what she needs. Breastfed babies are very adept at letting mom know what they need! Just follow her lead.

And remember when she goes thru growth spurts she will let you know by nursing more often for a week or so then she'll slow back down to normal

By 4 months she's pretty adept at nursing so she won't need to nurse as long at each session. My 37 weeker(2nd baby) became a power nurser! She could be completely done in 12-15 minutes total. Sometimes less!

The best advice I can give you is to follow her lead (even if you aren't sure where she is taking you lol) and be confident in your ability to nourish and grow your baby!

I didn't have a preemie, but had a big problem with forceful letdown and oversupply. I thought we were having latch problems, but he was latching fine...just have troubles with dealing with the flow.

I went to lactation consultant and she had me try a few things. She had me place the baby more vertically on my abdomen while I was reclining back. This means the baby is tummy to tummy with you and fairly upright. The flow then is kind of going downhill (back towards you) instead of straight to the back of her throat while she is lying down. She would eventually kind of lean to the side in the crook of your elbow, but it does make a big difference when the baby isn't totally side lying and forced to gulp the huge downpour.

The second thing she had me try, which was a little harder for me, was this: when you get the letdown, take your 1st two fingers in a "V" and place them on either side of your nipple on your areola and push in when the letdown comes. This should stem the flow a bit, but allow your baby to keep eating. And then you don't have to just let the milk go into a cloth. It was difficult for me to do because i had an oversupply as well and would be so full. So when I'd try this it would pop the nipple out of my son's mouth. So, once I got my oversupply into check a little better, I could use this technique.

here is a site that deals with oversupply just in case you might need some help with that: http://www.lowmilksupply.org/oversupply.shtml

I agree with the others that if she is growing okay, then don't worry about her falling asleep. Since she is more like 2.5 months, that seems to be normal. Good luck!

I have forceful let down and an overabundant supply issue...did with my other kids as well. Either pumping a bit off first or after let down, allowing it to spray into a cloth diaper are great ideas...save and freeze any pumped milk for cereal mixing! All the position advice for nursing has not helped me really...I am currently nursing my 4 week old and side lying is the best to keep him from choking and sputtering but I have a difficult time getting my kiddos to latch great that way! good luck!

Neither of my kids were premature so I can't really speak to that. However, I had a really powerful let down too and my kids would choke a L. too. If I could, I would either pump or just use my hand to let out a L. milk before I nursed. If I couldn't do that, I would just pull my kids off and let them latch on again. It eventually stopped letting down so forcefully and it wasn't a problem any more. Also, both of my kids were kind of grazers. They would only nurse for a L. bit at a time. As long as your daughter is gaining weight as she should and doesn't seem hungry all the time then I wouldn't worry about it. Talk with your pediatrician to ease your worries though.

you have received some good advice already and I think it's great that you are nursing. I become so saddened reading about all those moms who give up and turn to artificial breast milk. Keep up your great work.
But, about the falling asleep thing. She's only 4 months. Is she growing at a steady rate? Is she urinating and making bowel movements? does she seem healthy and happy? if so, she's getting enough from you so don't worry.
It's normal to fall asleep after, it's so comforting and loving, why wouldn't you, right?
The strong let down thing does slow down. As a matter of fact, when it does, you'll then wonder if you're producing enough milk, it's funny. So, in advance, don't worry. Enjoy this time and go for it as long as you can!
I nursed till my daughter was 4, the WHO recommends up to at least that long.

5 weeks early means she didn't develop a good suck, swallow, breathe reflex. She may need exercises from a good OT or speech/lang pathologist. You have to find someone who really knows about this because so many do not learn it in school and are clueless. Keep her on as much tummy time as possible and give her lots of movement like turn her upside down and up and down and side to side. This all builds the vestibular system which she needs being 5 weeks early.

In the lactation clinic, I've overheard women with overabundance and heavy let down to do two feeding per side before switching breasts. Don't know how your overall production is, so don't know if thats wise for you.