Bottle feeding a Premature Baby

by Herz
(Manila Philippines)

Visitor Question: My baby was born 31 weeks and is now 2 mos old. While she was fed commercial formula since she had complications at NICU, I am now exclusively breastfeeding her.

I will be returning back to work 2 weeks from now and I am worried if she will have nipple confusion once I give her feeding via bottle while I am out.

I bought a Medela Advanced Soft Cupfeeder (she is on mixed feeding once daily given via a small cup) but she still hates drinking on a cup and cries a lot when doing cup feeding.

My question is: will she still have nipple confusion if she is 3 mos old (Nov 30) by chronological age but only 1 month old by corrected aged.

They say that older babies wont have nipple confusion. Please help.

Breastfeeding Magazine Response: While it may be ok to start a bottle, we recommend using a slow-flow nipple. The Medela or Avent newborn nipples are good options.

If she gets accustomed to a faster flow nipple, she may start getting impatient when she has to work harder to get breast milk while breastfeeding.

Sticking to the slow flow nipples will minimize the chance of her getting nipple confusion or rejecting the breast.

Don't forget to also make sure that you pump enough at work to maintain your milk supply. You may want to even start pumping extra now (maybe after you finish each feeding) before you go back to work to make sure your supply is well established.

Good luck!