Editor’s Note: Donor Mom Kathleen Wilkinson shares her personal advice on transitioning premature babies to breastfeeding. We enjoyed visiting with Kathleen and her family at our recent first-ever Donor Appreciation Event at the Fort Worth Zoo!
Kathleen Wilkinson
Lewisville, TX
Ruth was born nine weeks premature, weighing in at 3 pounds and 12 ounces. She stayed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for 47 days. Transitioning Ruth to breastfeeding took patience and care, but now at nine months old, she is 16 pounds and developing wonderfully!
1) Before breastfeeding, start with “nuzzling” time. Putting your child on your chest allows the baby to get used to the feeling of your breast. My daughter was tiny and felt so fragile on me, but it was nice to have a time when there was no pressure and I could find a position that was comfortable for both of us.
2) Practice Kangaroo care, by placing your diapered baby between your breasts (if you’re the mother) or on your bare chest (if you’re the father), with a blanket draped over your baby’s back. The benefits of the skin-to-skin contact are helpful for both parent and child.
3) Take your own nursing pillow with you. Make sure you are comfortable!
4) Pump your breastmilk on a schedule to ensure that your breastmilk supply is steady. Though it is difficult, continue to follow your schedule even during the night.
5) Practice makes perfect. There will be times when your baby won't latch on correctly or will not latch on at all. Don't get discouraged!
6) Once you are home, give your baby a bottle periodically. After two months of breastfeeding I left my daughter with her Grandpa, and we found out the hard way that babies could forget how to take a bottle!