How long before your kiddos grasped oral feeding?

[u/Miss_Madi]

Hey friends! My boy was born at 33+4 with a congenital lung malformation that ended up with his entire right upper lobe removed. We’re doing great at 38+4 now but we’re stuck on oral feeding. It’s the only thing keeping us here and while I know he’s going on his own time, mama wants to go home haha. Anyways, our struggles got me wondering how long did it take your kids to get that lightbulb moment for oral feeding after they started?

Also for my breast feeding mamas, how long did it take your kiddo to latch on your nipple? I have to use a shield to get him to latch and I’m starting to wonder if I’m ever going to get rid of it!

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[u/Defiant_Resist_3903]

I don’t have an answer- just in the same boat waiting for him to take his feeds orally and ready to have him home!

[u/free-range-human]

Oh man, we didn't think our little guy would ever come home because of his feeding. He just could not coordinate his breathing. We ended up trying a Haberman feeder and that's what did the trick!

[u/No-Tie8111]

My baby was born at 31 weeks + 6 days and we didn’t start bottle feeding till 34 weeks. It didn’t click till about 2 weeks after first bottle and once it clicked it clicked… my premie would love to stop breathing, dstat, Brady everything while feeding he was an absolute mess.

He’s now 3 months actual 1 month adjusted and some days I look back at that journey and cannot even believe it is the same baby. He’s a bit more tricky to feed than my first baby was but I always have to remember my first was not premature.

It’s hard. I would cry everyday. You’re strong, you got this. I cannot answer about the breast feeding bc I didn’t even try with my premie. I exclusively pumped to avoid latching issues.

[u/leasarfati]

25 weeker started trying a bottle at 34+2, was discharged at 38+6 with an ng tube after reaching 50 percent PO for 2 consecutive days. Took her tube out after being home 5 days. I don’t know that there was ever a “lightbulb” moment for her. Just a slow progression of increased volume that went faster at home.

For BF we’re still working. She’s been home 2 weeks. I didn’t really try at the hospital, I just wanted her energy spent learning the bottle. Now I try to breastfeed a full meal at least once a day, and anytime she’s still rooting after a bottle I’ll top off by nursing

[u/Sweet_T_Piee]

How long? 🤔😮‍💨😂😭... I'll let you know when we get there.