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How long should a mother breast feed a premature baby?

My sister had a baby at 24 weeks. The baby is coming home tommorow after only a few days in the hospital. Amazing huh?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! She was 7 pounds 3 ounces. She has gained 2 ounces in 2 days. By the time she is 5 months old they want her to be anywhere from 9-11 pounds. How can my sister acheive this goal by breast feeding and occasionally formula feeding? How many times a day should she breast feed? How many times a day should she bottle feed? How long in these periods of times a day should she breast feed (Example:10 mins)? Thank-you!!! And do they make diapers for peemies? Thanks again!

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Answer #1

You shouldn’t make a goal out of a baby’s birth weight - they all grow at different rates and forcing a baby to grow faster that its body will allow isn’t good.

I’m surprised the hospital didn’t give her any advice on breastfeeding - feed the baby when it’s hungry until it’s finished…there’s not much more to it than that.

And yes, they do make preemie diapers.

Answer #2

Well thats all they told us is the goal. We just want Miyah to be happy and healthy all through her life! Also go on my profile and look at Miyah’s first baby picture!!! Awww…

Answer #3

Something isnt right here.

There is no way a 24 week gestational baby could weigh over 7 pounds. And no way it could only go home after a few days. At 24 weeks the baby is BARELY viable and most preemies that age die.

And you wouldnt need preemie diapers for a 7 pound baby.

24 week babies are not big enough or strong enough to nurse. If they are even eating without a feeding tube at that age there is no way they can nurse. It takes to much energy.

I know more than I want to about preemies. My son was born at 33 weeks and he weighed 3 and a half pounds and spent a month in the NICU and he was relatively healthy.

However, preemies get tired easily, especially breast feeding. So she needs to let it nurse as long as it can on both sides and then give it a bottle to make sure it gets enough to eat.

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