Breastfeeding After An Early Birth
We know birth is unpredictable for each woman, and one pregnancy can’t be compared to another. A baby can be born at any time. In many unexpected cases, emergency births occur because the baby and/or mother are showing health risks. This alone can be a traumatic experience and requires a lot of courage and resilience. Having the ability to breastfeed is questionable in these times depending on the amount of birth trauma a mother has endured.
I know first hand how that feels, and I’m here to tell you I was able to successfully breastfeed my two children up to two years of age. Being a mother of two 29-week born children weighing one pound, 6 ounces, the last thing on my mind was breastfeeding. My mind and body were dealing with such a traumatic change, I was playing catch up with the current situation of having a small baby in the NICU and not really understanding how I got there. Looking at this small baby wired up, and hearing the incubator monitors beeping constantly added so much stress to my situation that my milk supply was at risk.
I remember the NICU nurses asking each time I stepped foot in the NICU, “Do you have breastmilk for us mom? Once I saw how uncomfortable my baby was with drinking formula after reflux episodes back to back, breastfeeding my child was #1 on my list in ensuring my child received the best nourishment. This nourishment was coming from me. No matter how long it took for my body to adjust to having a baby so soon, and mentally aligning myself to being a mother prematurely, I believed my body was eventually going to get it together and do what it was designed to do: nurture my child. I had to believe in myself, accept the support from my village, and educate myself on ways I can best support my baby during the times when I felt hopeless and alone.
Unfortunately, preemie formula was the first option to feed my baby until my milk started to flow. It took me 3 days before I got any colostrum. It also took a lot of pumping, and watching videos of my baby crying, to get at least 4-8 ounces of milk a day to feed my baby—all while working a fulltime job, recovering from a C-section, and waiting for my baby to be discharged from the hospital after three months in the NICU. I was determined to understand how my body worked, and find ways to increase my milk supply to ensure my baby got at least 2 ounces of milk before formula feeding. The NICU doctors highly suggested providing formula to ensure the baby was getting enough calories to grow. Did I agree with the medical practices administered in the NICU? Now that I look at it now, definitely not. Having my first child, not with much education on what to even expect in a situation like this, I was willing to do anything to feel assured my baby would survive.
Tips for breastfeeding after an early birth:
Support you and your baby with skin to skin. This is a magical way to tell your body it is time to lactate, and give your baby the welcome needed to be adjusted to the earthside. Plus the healing powers that come from skin-skin is immense, and help release hormones that reduce stress.
Be patient with yourself, and give yourself grace. Whether it's an emergency C section, or early natural birth, give yourself credit for the hard work you put in, and the scary experience you endured. Give your body gratitude for surviving. Be thankful for your small wins. Take a deep breath, and let yourself know how amazing you are.
Ask for lactation support at the hospital right after birth, or hire a lactation consultant to support you during these times once you feel the baby may birth early. Having lactation support can put your mind at ease. Our expectations of breastfeeding completely changes once a high risk birth comes to play. Understanding the process of seeing colostrum and how long it takes for our breasts to produce milk is important, especially after a premature birth. Getting the support you need will reduce self doubt and helplessness, during a time you’ve experienced a traumatic birth.
Remove yourself from environments that are stressful, and find your village or support system. They will lift you up, and help you feel supported. Your village doesn’t have to be family members, it can be friends, or woman/mother collectives they can support you on this journey. Being in an environment with minimal stress will help you focus on healing, your baby, and milk supply.
Everyone’s body is different, and works differently. The wish is that every mother can experience having a trauma free natural birth, where the baby births when ready (without intervention), healthy and strong. Unfortunately, that is not every woman’s reality. The goal is to make birthing spaces more inclusive and safe for all mothers, including those considered “high risk”. I empathize with the frustration and sadness that may come with having an early birth. Butt give yourself credit! You still were able to bring your child earth side. No matter the complications, you are here standing, alive, and pushing through all obstacles. The benefits of breastfeeding are vast. Trust in your body. Trust in yourself to heal. Trust in your abilities to mother. Trust in your abilities to breastfeed.
