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Glen's Breastfeeding Story.

If I could summarize in one sentence the purpose of my sharing of this story it would be this: If you have a premature baby, realize that breastfeeding him will probably be difficult, but if you get the right help and support, it is very possible to be successful. I did not learn this, though, until it was too late to preserve the breastfeeding relationship with my son who was born 7 weeks early.

Glenn spent 1 month in the hospital during which time he was fed first my pumped breastmilk by a gavage tube inserted down his throat and then later by bottle. Though breastfeeding was encouraged (as in, "sure you can try it") a high priority was not placed on my success. When Glenn was sent home, he'd only been "nippling" from the preemie bottle two days, and didn't have a clue what to do with my breast. By this point I was a champion breastmilk pumper, but a miserably confused nurser.

I didn't read any book on nursing prior to his birth (I was saving them for the 8th and 9th month) and wasn't given any information about breastfeeding support, except for the phone number of a lactation consultant who told me she charged $150 per visit - an expense my insurance company refused to pay - I didn't think I could afford it out of pocket. Glenn refused to take to my breast (other than to suck half-heatedly at it when he wasn't too sleepy). He struggled even with the bottle feedings until he turned 6 months old.

I continued to pump my breastmilk until Glenn was 4 months old, then I quit when the pumping became too painful (the hospital grade electric pump I was using literally turned my breasts and veins in them black and blue). When the frozen breastmilk ran out, we switched to formula, which he tolerated well. Unfortunately, this was also the end of his good health. We battled constant ear infections and chest colds (which required breathing treatments) for over a year. At this time (Sep 97) he is two and we're hoping this Winter will be a healthier one than the two Winters past.

What would I do, in retrospect? I'd have contacted the La Leche League and joined a group for support. I would have spent that $150 for the lactation consultant to come to my home, even if I had to charge it (I spent way more on that on the breast pump rental and on baby formula). Support and education are just as important as desire (which I had plenty of). There is no substitute for them and I was doomed without them.

My advice to a preemie mom who wants to breastfeed her preemie:

• Don't be shy about insisting on skin-to-skin time with your baby once it's medically safe. Glenn was almost 4 weeks old before he got up close and personal with my breast. There was no reason (in our case) to wait so long.
• Squeeze every drop of information you can from hospital staff, La Leche League, and of course the Internet (there is a great Preemie Support Group online called Preemie L).
• Pay for help (lactation support) if there is no other choice and you can possibly afford it (you'll end up forking out more money for formula and doctor bills anyway).
• Find others who are going through the same thing or have gone through it. Support and understanding will help you through the rough times when you're ready to give up.