preemie formula question

[firsttimemom!]

Hi-
Due to a bout with the Norwalk Virus, my son was born at 35 weeks and 4 days. Breastfeeding has been exceedingly difficult, and was pressured to give him formula during his stay at the NICU. Since coming home 9 days later, breastfeeding continues to be unsuccessful, so he has been eating the Enfamil Preemie Formula. My question is how long does the baby stay on preemie formula? One doctor told me that after he hits 40 weeks, I can start a "regular" non-preemie formula. Another doctor said that he should be on the preemie formula for at least 9 months. I am so confused and frustrated!!
Please tell me what has worked for all of you.

Thanks!

[RiverandJulie]

I would love to know the answer too, mine is a 29 weeker (adopted, so exclusively on formula). The NICU said 9 months, and at the rate he is eating now, it is getting expensive! His current dr 1st said he could get off it when he hit 4 months, then said when he catches up on the growth charts. THis seems a little weird, since he is 2 1/2 months behind....why does he need to grow so much faster?
He is growing really fast, at 4 months he has gone from 3 lbs at birth to over 10 lbs.

[sbrinton]

I would say it depends on the baby! Preemies sometimes need the extra vitamins and minerals in preemie formula for longer, but it depends on their growth. It also depends on their gestational age. The 29 weeker missed out on a lot more than the 36 weeker in the womb.

With a late term preemie (36 weeker), I think I would keep up the preemie formula until somewhere around 40 weeks up to 2 months adjusted, depending on growth?

With the ealier preemie, I would probably keep up the preemie formula a little longer.

[Crunchy Frog]

Mine were born at 33 wks 3 days, and were never on any preemie formula. They were quite small at birth too. They were partially breastfed for 6 mos, and had Enfamil Lipil. They caught up in growth really quickly too; by the time they were 6 mos they were pretty much average size for FT 6 month olds.

I think maybe different doctors/NICU's must have different philosophies on whether preemie formula is needed (for later preemies) and for how long. I think our NICU was maybe more conservative than most on high calorie forumulas and supplements. I think they felt that they increased the risk of NEC.

I don't think my babies have suffered at all for not having it. They are currently BIG and strong 14 month olds. (I apologize for the boasting.)

[Amys1st]

We supplemented with the preemie formula until she hit her dd. Then we used the normal formula for supplementing. I would have loved to nurse excluxesly, but that didnt work out. She went on to nurse until she was 1 yrs old.

[azgirl]

My 25-weeker was on preemie formula along with the breastmilk I pumped (I struggled with low supply) I switched him to Baby's Only organic soon after coming home, but mixed it to 28cal per oz. (that would not be necessary for a non-micro preemie) If you do the math, the preemie formula is not providing much more and sometimes less nutrient wise when you adjust for the calories per oz. The preemie formula is mixed to 22 or 24 cal/oz (I forget) and that makes it more nutrient dense. I did the math and presented it to my ped. I would have done it anyway, but I didn't want to lie. I was much more comfortable with the ingredients in that particular organic formula and I liked not supporting the big formula companies. I also added powdered formula to my breastmilk to increase the calories. My LO didn't have tummy trouble from the increased calories or switching formula. I know your situation is different, but thought the info about increasing the calories would help. FYI, I just used the nutrition info on the can and a calculator to determine how to mix it.

I hope my post made sense!!

[SativaStarr]

My 35 and 34 weekers never needed the preemie formulas. My 32 weeker was put on Neocatefor supplementing/fortifying but switched to Alimentum and later Neocate due to milk protein issues. They wanted him on a 24 cal diet for a long time, so we justmixed it at a higher caloric concentration.

[justKate]

Originally Posted by firsttimemom!

Hi-
Due to a bout with the Norwalk Virus, my son was born at 35 weeks and 4 days. Breastfeeding has been exceedingly difficult, and was pressured to give him formula during his stay at the NICU. Since coming home 9 days later, breastfeeding continues to be unsuccessful, so he has been eating the Enfamil Preemie Formula. My question is how long does the baby stay on preemie formula? One doctor told me that after he hits 40 weeks, I can start a "regular" non-preemie formula. Another doctor said that he should be on the preemie formula for at least 9 months. I am so confused and frustrated!!
Please tell me what has worked for all of you.

Thanks!

I don't have an answer for you about preemie formula, b/c my NICU baby was full term. BUT she didn't latch until we brought her home 3 weeks later, and we eventually exclusively breastfed and are still going strong at 14 mos. I say that not to make you feel bad, but to give you some hope if you really want to keep trying to BFeed. If you're interested, please come over to the Breastfeeding forum. There are lots of us that have struggled initially and managed to nurse NICU babies under less than ideal circumstances.

Lots of going out to you as you adjust to life at home with your LO. Congrats on your new baby!!

[vxclayborn]

You could mix reg. formula to 22/24 cal/oz. I would check the Iron amount however, and supplement per Dr. directions.

Some preemie formulas really help stave of anemia of prematurity.

[CherylMorrissette]

Preemies need preemie formulas for a variety of reasons. Very premature babies are prone to digestive problems, and may need special formulas that are easier on their systems. Some preemies are fluid restricted due to heart conditions, and need smaller amounts of higher calorie formulas.

Most often, premature babies need special preemie formulas because they need extra calories. Breastmilk and regular infant formulas have 20 calories per ounce; Preemie formulas given in the NICU can have up to 30 calories per ounce.

Once a baby is ready for NICU discharge, your neonatologist should talk to you about what kind of formula you should go home on and why. The most common are:

- Exclusive breastfeeding with 1-2 bottles per day of fortified breast milk - babies who are growing well can usually maintain good weight gain while breastfeeding exclusively, with a little bit of extra calories added in to maintain catch up growth. Milk tests have shown that preemie moms tend to make milk that's a little higher in fat and calories.


- NICU discharge formula - Enfacare and Neosure are the two most common preemie discharge formulas. They have higher calories than regular formulas, more vitamins, and a higher protein ratio (fortifying regular formula to 22 cal won't add in the extra vitamins and protein)

-Regular infant formula

We prescribe fortifiers and NICU discharge formulas for babies who are behind the curve on growth charts. Catch up growth IS a little controversial, so arm yourself with knowledge. Depending on the doc and the baby, they usually stay on the breastmilk/fortifier combo or the NICU discharge formula until they have head/length measurements that match up with their peers of the same actual (not adjusted) age, or until they're 1 - whichever comes first.

[Cinder]

we did breast milk fortifier...and they wanted us to keep them on it till they were in the 3rd% or higher...but, well, Janelle would STILL be on it now at almost 8, so when she stopped taking bottles at 6 weeks old we didn't do it again. River we are still trying to get some sort of high calorie rx formula into him at 13 months (last thursday he was 13lbs 7ounces)...but we can't get him to drink from a bottle, cup, straw or bottle and our trial with a tube (ng tube) showed us he would NOT eat anything with the tube in, so that would be a step backwards instead of forwards...but if we do get him to take it, they are putting him on higher calorie stuff specifically for kids over 12 months old.

[2mama]

Any formula can be made into a higher cal. mix.. even generic.. Usually they just stay until dd, unless the baby was a micro, super sick or had other issues.. Also ask your ped for samples they prob. have some.