Premature babies differ from the average newborn in that they have an adjusted age: their age based on their due date, not their birth date. This affects their developmental milestones in addition to their feeding schedule. You can't expect a premature baby to eat like a typical baby, however, you can compensate for their special needs with a little time and attention.
Tube Feedings
You might sometimes see a premature infant with a tube coming out of her nose or stomach. For many babies born early, sucking, swallowing and breathing skills are not mature enough yet to breast or bottle feed successfully. Tube feeding is common for these babies as a means by which they can get some nutrition. According to Ohio State University Medical Center, the synchronization of these skills develops sometime between 35 and 40 weeks gestation. Babies who were born before this might develop this skill at their adjusted age, which is based on their original due date. In other words, it might take anywhere from three to eight weeks for a baby born at 32 weeks gestation to master these skills.
Breastfeeding
Even premature infants with tubes can be breastfed. Although it might take time to master using any kind of nipple, a premature baby can be fed breast milk through his tube until he is able to suck, swallow and breathe in a successful pattern. After the tube, mothers are encouraged to breastfeed their premature infants between eight and 10 times every day, letting no more than four hours lapse between, according to FamilyDoctor.org. For moms with milk supply challenges or infants who are still learning to breastfeed, formula can be used as a supplement for nutrition.
Formula Feeding
Bottle feeding is another viable solution for premature infants, especially if mom's breast milk supply is not well established or for infants with special nutritional needs. Dr. Ari Brown, co-author of Baby 411, reports that babies born earlier than 34 weeks gestation might require formula with higher concentrations of nutrients, including calories, fats and proteins. Depending on your baby's growth, you might be advised by your child's pediatrician to continue using this type of formula for the first year of his life.
Solid Foods
Like the average baby, premature babies should start solid foods during their first year. But some might have to wait longer than others. According to Dr. Brown, parents with premature babies often are advised to wait on solids until their baby's adjusted age is 4 to 6 months, even if they are a month or two older than this. This gives them time to develop the necessary oral motor skills needed to manipulate and swallow solid food. In addition, there is even less of a rush for solids when your baby is premature, as he can get more calories from liquids, which is important if he is still lagging behind on the growth curve.
Growth Curve
Some premature babies catch up quickly to their peers while others might lag behind for some time. It can take up to two years for a complete "catch up." But, this does not mean that you are doing something wrong. Premature babies have their own growth chart based on their weeks of gestation at time of delivery. As long as he is growing on a healthy curve, your child is doing just fine. If you are concerned about your preemie's growth and development, talk to your child's pediatrician.
References
- "Baby 411"; Denise Fields and Ari Brown, M.D.; 2010
- FamilyDoctor.org: Caring for Your Premature Baby
- The Ohio State University Medical Center: Feeding Your Premature Baby
