A Preemie's Breastfeeding Story. By Tracey
My friend gave birth prematurely to a baby boy at 25 1/2
weeks gestation. After two and a half months in the hospital, the baby was released. At birth,
we weighed 1 lb, 12oz and quickly dropped down to 1 lb 6oz. On his release date, he weighed 4 lbs,
6oz....and the best news is that IT IS ALL FROM BREASTMILK!!!!!!!!(not even one drop of formula!) My
friend has been pumping everyday, round the clock for 2 1/2 months. He is able to nurse at the breast
twice a day (and so far has no nipple confusion) and is given EBM from a bottle at the other feedings. The
doctors have not let her put him to the breast at every feeding because he has to work so hard to get
the milk out that they don't want him to use any more of his precious calories by suckling hard. If he is
continuing to gain weight, they want her to put him to the breast three
times a day. The doctor will be checking him every four/five days and told my friend that he plans on
having this little boy totally at the breast within two weeks.
The doctors told her that they think his rapid recovery and growth is totally and directly related to being
breastfed!!!! One other amazing thing is that they have done all the tests they can up to this point and do
not think that this little guy will have any problems later in life!! He appears to be perfectly healthy!! Just
think, he still should have another **5** weeks inside his mother's body, and he is already home!!!!!
I told my friend over and over how proud I am of her for sticking with breastfeeding and caring so much
for this little guy to give him the absolute best!!!! THE BREAST!!!!
What an inspiration to us all!
