Customer Reviews

Breastfeeding Your Premature Baby

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was really hoping for lots of great info when I ordered this book, but it wasn't there. LLL really needs to update this and include the specifics that moms need to nurse a preemie. This is not a book but a pamphlet. When it came in I devoured it in a short amount of time and couldn't believe that that was "all there was". I really expected more of a LLL publication and was very disappointed, however, the info it did have was good and accurate, there just wasn't enough of it.

I wish that I had had this book right after my son was born at 30 weeks. I had breastfed my older (full term) daughter but knew nothing about breastfeeding a preemie. This book gives a very positive outlook and really makes you feel like it is possible to nurse your preemie. There is information on pumping and storing your milk, on problems you may encounter while pumping, about kangaroo care and on helping your preemie learn to nurse, including pictures of nursing positions that are especially suited to preemies. Most importantly, there is information on ways to provide supplemental feedings other than by bottle to avoid the nipple confusion that may hinder breastfeeding.

This book is rather short. I don't think it is meant to be an all encompassing "how-to" breastfeeding manual, but rather a nice way to begin learning about breastfeeding a preemie. Anyone who wants to nurse their preemie should take the author's suggestions to see a lactation consultant to heart. My son came home exclusively breastfed and I owe my success in nursing to several caring, hardworking lactation consultants. You just can't learn everything you need to know from this or any book, but this book is a good place to start.

I'm the mom of a 29 weeker who weighed 1lb 10oz at birth. She barely tipped the scale at 4lbs on coming home two months later. I pumped breast milk while she was in the hospital and wanted to be able to breast feed when she came home. It was very difficult and I needed information on getting a preemie who's been bottle fed in the hospital to latch on. This book had general information but was no help with the specifics. It was a waste of money for me. It might be helpful for someone with a brand new preemie who is considering whether to try breastfeeding or not.

This book contains helpful information, but fails to talk about one important aspect of a premature baby. It does not address how to manage being separated from your baby while it is in the NICU. I would have appreciated a little more focus on getting and keeping your supply up when you must pump, and cannot feed on demand. Otherwise, a very fine little book.

Our daughter was a preemie - these books came the day she was born or just after - she was in the NICU for 2 weeks after birth - read several books that I ordered on Amazon - they were all helpful and glad to see there are resources Moms can read when they know or find out they will have a baby in the NICU...

Although this is a thin book, it is helpful to get your bearings on how to breastfeed in the NICU. My main complaint is that it wasnt really long enough to address issues in depth, but it was a good first read.