How can I make it easier to feed my premature baby?

Your near-term baby needs to eat often -- at least 8 times every 24 hours. That means every 2½ hours during the day, or every 4 hours at night. A good rule of thumb is that if your baby is awake, he should be eating.

But what if your baby doesn’t wake up to eat? Or what if he gets distracted, or falls asleep too fast while eating? Here are some tips to find or create the right moment to feed your baby:

• Have your baby sleep in your room with you. This helps you see your     baby’s feeding cues more quickly. Watch for your baby to:

1.  bring his hands to his mouth
2. move his mouth and tongue
3. move around quietly

• Gently help your baby wake up when it’s time to eat:

1. Sing to your baby or call his name.
2. Slowly change your baby’s whole body position. Roll him slowly 
        side-to-side on a pillow on your lap. Sit your baby up and down
        a few times.
3. Change your baby’s diaper, undress him, and put him next to you,
        near your breast. Have him in the right position as you start
        feeding, so you don’t have to move him around while he’s
        eating.
4. Try to be patient if your baby is slow to wake up. Wait for your
        baby to open his mouth at the touch of your breast or the
        bottle. This is better than pushing or pulling his jaw down.

• Keep things calm and quiet while you feed your baby. You may need
   to turn off the TV and bright lights. Ask visitors to leave and ask
   children to sit quietly. You want your baby to be awake, but not
   distracted.