How can I make sure my premature baby gets enough breast milk?

If you’re breastfeeding, you can’t see how much milk your baby is drinking each time. To make sure your baby is getting enough, make the most of each feeding session.

Because your baby was born a little early, she may not have a strong enough suck to get the milk she needs. Also, she may be too sleepy to wake to breastfeed or may not breastfeed long enough to get enough milk. To help her, do these things:

       • hold your breast, keeping your fingers behind the areola in a
         C-hold, to help keep your nipple in her mouth

       • compress and massage your breast while your baby feeds to help
         her get more milk in a shorter time

       • try breastfeeding your baby at each feeding - If your baby is too
         tired and doesn’t latch on after several minutes of trying, 
         supplement with expressed breast milk.

       • If your baby is too sleepy to finish breastfeeding, it’s better to
         supplement with expressed breast milk and try breastfeeding at
         the next feeding.