lactation consultation

Chestmilk for the Older Tube-Fed Child

Chestmilk for the Older Tube-Fed Child

When we went in for my daughter’s 6-month check-up, the neonatologist was shocked that I was still pumping. She couldn’t believe that my daughter was still being exclusively fed chestmilk because so many tube-fed children are put on formulas for one reason or another very early on in their tube-fed journey. But situations like mine often lead to little ones who are still getting just chestmilk well beyond the point an oral child would have started including other sources of nutrition in their diet.

Maintaining a Chestfeeding Relationship While Pumping

Maintaining a Chestfeeding Relationship While Pumping

The chestfeeding relationship provides such a special, unique bond – one that so many parents-to-be dream about. I’ve successfully provided chestmilk to all three of my current children, but our journeys looked quite different. When pregnant with my second, for example, I never would have imagined that she would not only never nurse, but that she wouldn’t eat orally at all. Suffice to say, most parents who plan to chestfeed their babies don’t imagine that process involving a feeding tube.

Addressing Supply Concerns for Pumping Parents

Addressing Supply Concerns for Pumping Parents

Since tube-fed babies receive a certain amount of food through the tube based on calculations, not their own efforts, pumping parents have very specific volume goals to meet in order to keep up with the needed amounts. This can be particularly tricky, as having a tube-fed baby is strongly akin to having twins: you offer the chance for your baby to eat orally, but then have to pump, essentially taking time to do double feedings EVERY time they need to eat.