YOUR PREM BABY

Breast milk is the best food for your premature baby because the antibodies help protect them against infection, and the rich colostrum stimulates their digestive system. It’s also rich in DHA, essential for brain, eye and nerve development. You have colostrum when your baby is born, no matter how premature they are. Premature babies usually don’t receive milk within the first 24 hours because they first need to be stabilised. If your baby is too young to breastfeed, they can be given expressed breast milk via tube feeding. Ask the nurses to show you how to express into a sterilised bottle, how to store it safely and how to get it to the neo-natal intensive care regularly. If you aren’t well enough to provide breast milk, your baby will likely be given donated breast milk or a special high-quality food. Premature babies are given small feeds often, using an intra-venous line, tube or cup, depending on how premature their digestive system is. The sucking reflex only develops at 36 weeks, but your baby could start breastfeeding earlier if they have put on weight and have the ability to suck earlier.