4th Oct 2010
Today is my pregnancy EDD, which means cubbies r officially 40 weeks.
Cubbies are born premature at 32 weeks. although they are not micro-preemie, they r still consider preemie with low birth weight of 1.8kg (Hung), 1.6kg (Syuen) and 1.1kg (Juin).
There are many new learning for parents of preemie. This time I'll share on Feeding!
Feeding a full-term baby is so much differ fr a preemie. I once took for granted (n i think most ppl hv this same thought too) that all babies r born wit d capabilities to eat/suck.
What we found out during cubbies stay in NICU is tat we need to teach preemie to suckle!
1) TUBE FEEDING
During d 1st few days of stay in NICU, cubbies r fed using tube where d tube r inserted from his mouth into d stomach. D first sight of d tube make me tears as they r so tiny n yet needed to insert d tube. So, our first feeding lesson in NICU is to learn how to feed them using d tube.
2) SYRINGE FEEDING
We introduced syringe feeding to stimulate the baby's sucking action. We had to control or fingers when pressing & releasing the breastmilk into bb's mouth while encouraging bb to lick & suckle.
3) CUP FEEDING
When Hung is ready to learn sucking, he was first introduce sipping fr cup. Till now,i m still very raw to cup feeding,i'll end up pouring all out instead of feeding.
4) SUCKING
Hung did not know how to suckle fr breast. Hence, I was taught how to give him cheek massage, lips massage and tongue massage to stimulate his sucking movement. It seems that bb learns sucking movement in mummy's womb during week 33. But Hung was born at 32 weeks, hence there's a need to give him time to develop the ability to suck.
5) SWALLOW
Then we need to teach Hung how to swallow. Even during cup feeding, Hung will tends to keep all milk in his mouth without swallowing.
6) SUCK & SWALLOW & BREATHE
When Hung had mastered d sucking & swallowing skill, he needs to be stimulate to perform both d action n synchronize wit breathing. What a tough process for just a simple action of sucking milk.
I still remember there's once when i was BF Hung, suddenly his face turned blue. Since we're reminded on this, I quickly unlatch him fr d breast and gave him few slaps on his feet to wake him up. He was fine after that.
Preemie r known that they hv the tendency to forget breathing, regardless it's feeding, crying or even laughing. Even till now,we still need to b observant on d changes in bb face during feeding, to ensure bb remembers to breathe & swallow.
Today is my pregnancy EDD, which means cubbies r officially 40 weeks.
Cubbies are born premature at 32 weeks. although they are not micro-preemie, they r still consider preemie with low birth weight of 1.8kg (Hung), 1.6kg (Syuen) and 1.1kg (Juin).
There are many new learning for parents of preemie. This time I'll share on Feeding!
Feeding a full-term baby is so much differ fr a preemie. I once took for granted (n i think most ppl hv this same thought too) that all babies r born wit d capabilities to eat/suck.
What we found out during cubbies stay in NICU is tat we need to teach preemie to suckle!
1) TUBE FEEDING
During d 1st few days of stay in NICU, cubbies r fed using tube where d tube r inserted from his mouth into d stomach. D first sight of d tube make me tears as they r so tiny n yet needed to insert d tube. So, our first feeding lesson in NICU is to learn how to feed them using d tube.
2) SYRINGE FEEDING
We introduced syringe feeding to stimulate the baby's sucking action. We had to control or fingers when pressing & releasing the breastmilk into bb's mouth while encouraging bb to lick & suckle.
3) CUP FEEDING
When Hung is ready to learn sucking, he was first introduce sipping fr cup. Till now,i m still very raw to cup feeding,i'll end up pouring all out instead of feeding.
4) SUCKING
Hung did not know how to suckle fr breast. Hence, I was taught how to give him cheek massage, lips massage and tongue massage to stimulate his sucking movement. It seems that bb learns sucking movement in mummy's womb during week 33. But Hung was born at 32 weeks, hence there's a need to give him time to develop the ability to suck.
5) SWALLOW
Then we need to teach Hung how to swallow. Even during cup feeding, Hung will tends to keep all milk in his mouth without swallowing.
6) SUCK & SWALLOW & BREATHE
When Hung had mastered d sucking & swallowing skill, he needs to be stimulate to perform both d action n synchronize wit breathing. What a tough process for just a simple action of sucking milk.
I still remember there's once when i was BF Hung, suddenly his face turned blue. Since we're reminded on this, I quickly unlatch him fr d breast and gave him few slaps on his feet to wake him up. He was fine after that.
Preemie r known that they hv the tendency to forget breathing, regardless it's feeding, crying or even laughing. Even till now,we still need to b observant on d changes in bb face during feeding, to ensure bb remembers to breathe & swallow.
