Premature babies are generally fed more frequently than term babies and their feeding times are longer. Babies who are fed more often need to change their diapers more often. While your premature baby is being fed with serum or tube in the hospital, oral feeding is started gradually. If you have too much milk right after birth, you can put them in sterile breast milk storage containers and store them in the refrigerator. Breast milk can be stored at room temperature for 3 hours, on the shelf of the refrigerator for 3 days, and in the freezer for 3 months. You can then thaw and give these bags to your baby.

If he is fed with formula; the food you prepared can be kept for 2 hours at room temperature and 1 day in the refrigerator, but the bottle should not come into contact with the baby's mouth. If your baby is of appropriate weight and is fed with breast milk at the time of discharge, it is appropriate to continue breastfeeding if he is fed with premature formula until the term, and to be fed with standard formula after reaching the 40th week.

If the weight is low at discharge and they are fed with breast milk, they should be supported with breast milk supplements, if they are fed with formula between the 40^th to 52^nd day. It is recommended to be fed with premature formula or special post-discharge formula until the next week.
Sometimes, breast milk may not be enough for your baby to bridge the gap with the term baby. Therefore, it may be necessary to make some additions to breast milk or to use special premature formulas in the form of liquid or powder. When your baby reaches the corrected age of around 6 months, you can start introducing solid foods like any other baby.

You may also need to use various drops for vitamin and iron needs. Necessary recommendations regarding all these issues will be made by your doctor during the follow-up. Every baby is different and should be fed according to their own needs. If you feed frequently and you see your baby taking in at every feeding, you'll also find that your baby will stop feeding when his feeding is sufficient.

Your baby will show some signs when he is hungry, these are:

• He makes sucking movements.
• Sucks fingers and hand.
• They open his mouth when touched.

If you follow these hunger movements well and feed him before he cries, you will help him to grasp the breast better. Also, if you watch your baby carefully while feeding, you can be sure that he is sucking and swallowing well. You can remind them to suck and swallow by gently stimulating them.
Your baby looks happy and satiated after feeding and is growing regularly at his own pace. You can be sure that your baby is getting enough milk if he has plenty of wet diapers, is growing or gaining weight, and is alert and alert at times.

The duration of the feedings should not take longer than 20-30 minutes on average. Longer feeding times will tire both you and your baby. As you get older and stronger, these times will get shorter over time. Feeding on demand is best for your baby. After the first few months, feeding most babies every 3-4 hours will be sufficient. Some babies also want to be fed at night, around 6 months this need decreases to 1 feeding per night.

If your baby does not want to be fed; be patient and keep trying. Make sure your baby is in good position. As a last resort, try feeding from a cup or bottle. Continue expressing your breasts so that you can give your baby milk.

Breast milk is the main source of nutrients for a baby. A woman body start preparing to create a new food supply for her baby during pregnancy. From 4th week of pregnancy, milk producing cells called lactocytes starts forming. You might start noticing your breast growing during pregnancy but how much milk you produce depends on the milk producing tissues. The milk production cycle only begins once your baby is born. A mother’s milk provides all the essentials nutrients like proteins, minerals and fats, as well as water to keep the baby hydrated. Breast milk is no ordinary food – it’s the living “liquid gold”.

LET'S UNDERSTAND THE STAGES OF BREAST MILK;

Colostrum –First stage of Milk

Colostrum occurs during pregnancy and last for several days after baby’s birth. This yellowish sticky milk is thicker and is very important for protecting your baby. Colostrum is very easy to digest. Colostrum has same nutrients as later stages of milk however the amount of these ingredients varies and its tailored in such a way it suits the new-born baby.

The first milk colostrum is high in antibodies and white blood cells. It protects your baby from infections and very important for the digestive system. After two to four days, Colostrum replaces with transitional milk.

Transitional Milk – Second stage of Milk

Transition milk replaces Colostrum. It’s creamy and has high level of proteins, vitamins, fat and lactose. The color of the milk slowly changes from yellow to white. As the breast starts to stimulate you might feel fuller, firmer and a bit of discomfort. Regular feeding can ease any discomfort during this stage.

Mature Milk – Third stage of Milk

After few weeks, your milk reaches mature milk. It is lighter in color and stays consistent. But composition of your breast milk can still change from day-to-day and feed to feed. For example, if you or your baby is unwell, your body will make antibiotics that will help fight the illness. As your baby grows the composition of the milk changes to meet as per the child’s growth.

Fore milk – Milk that flows at the starting of the feed is Fore milk. Its watery and quenches baby thirst.

Hind Milk – The milk that flows as your breast empties is Hind milk. Its higher in fat, calories and quenches baby’s hungry. Fore or Hind milk your baby will get the essential nutrients required for the growth.

The mature milk will last until you wean for the baby. As your child grows older and introduced to solid food and liquids, the nutrient and amount of milk produce changes. IPA recommends a minimum of 6 months and can go up to 2 years. The longer a mother feeds the child with breast milk, the greater health benefits for both mother and child. Nothing can replace breast-milk, you both can enjoy the benefits of breastfeeding for many months to come.