How to Feed a Special Needs Baby

The first few days or weeks of your special needs baby's life may have been spent in an incubator, being fed through an intravenous tube. While you are still in the hospital, it's important to feed your baby in a way that builds the bond between parent and child. Special needs babies may respond even more deeply to the feeding routine than a child without medical concerns, so you will need to focus on the details, especially after you take your baby home.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Breast pump
• Doctor or health care team

1. Establish the flow of breast milk immediately after birth, even if you are not able to feed you baby immediately. Depending upon the specific condition of your special needs baby, breast milk may be the most therapeutic source of nutrition available, since it contains proteins that may accelerate the healing process.

2. Use a breast pump to store your breast milk for later use. Remember, breast milk can be frozen for up to 3 months. What's important is that you keep the milk flowing naturally through your breast by pumping every 2 to 3 hours around the clock.

3. Maintain close physical contact with your special needs baby during feeding time, whether you are using a bottle or feeding directly by breast. Constantly cradle your baby in your arms while you nurse, and talk to your baby in soft and soothing tones. After your baby is fed, place his ear close to your chest so that he can hear your heart beating.

4. Watch your special needs baby carefully to determine how she expresses hunger. Some special needs babies may not cry when they are hungry due to physical limitations, so you will need to familiarize yourself with the various signs your baby offers, such as vocal cues, changes in expression or even wiggling.

5. Ask for help from your doctor or health care team if you have any questions or concerns about how to feed your special needs baby. You should receive immediate feedback about how well your baby is responding to your breast milk, and know whether it will ultimately help your baby to develop and thrive.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to eat healthy while you are breastfeeding a special needs baby. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and high levels of sugar. Ask your doctor about a healthy diet regimen that will help you produce nutritional milk for your baby.

Who Can Help:

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[Cherst1031]

on 1/23/2008 Thank you so much for this article! My granddaughter was in the NICU for weeks due to complications at birth, and I really think it helped my daughter to form a bond with her by pumping and knowing that she was doing something important for her baby - otherwise we all felt helpless. Baby is doing great now, thanks to mother's milk!