Preemies are fed slowly at first

• Your baby has been swallowing amniotic fluid while inside you to help the intestines develop.
• Once born, if your baby is not fed, the intestines quickly get weak.
• We will start with small feedings and then slowly increase the quantity of the milk for each feeding.
• These small feedings keep the intestines moving and developing and help prevent intestinal complications common in premature infants.

What is a "Gavage Feeding"?

• Babies do not know how to coordinate sucking or swallowing until about 32-34 weeks.
• Until they learn, we must feed them through a tube.
• Gavage (tube) feedings help your baby get nutrition without having to work and use up energy.
• A tube will go through your baby's mouth or nose and down into the stomach.
• We'll use a syringe to squeeze the milk through this tube.

The Chester County Hospital Lactaction Consultants: 610.738.2582

Last Updated: 6/23/2011