Babies born under 38 weeks gestation are considered premature, with those born between 34-36.6 weeks gestation, known as late preterm infants. While those born in the 37th week are considered term, lactation consultants call them the Great Pretenders, because they can look like full term babies, but still act like late preterm babies. All of these babies exhibit distinct feeding habits compared to full-term infants (those born at 38+ weeks). Here are the primary differences:

Feeding Efficiency:

   -Late Preterm Infants: Often have less developed oral motor skills, which can lead to less efficient suck-swallow-breathe coordination. This can make feeding slower and more labor-intensive for both the infant and the caregiver.

   - Full-Term Infants: Typically have more mature feeding skills, allowing them to feed more effectively and efficiently from the breast or bottle.

Energy Levels and Fatigue:

   - Late Preterm Infants: These babies tend to tire more quickly during feeding due to lower energy reserves. This can result in shorter, more frequent feedings and a need for longer feeding sessions.

   -Full-Term Infants: Generally have higher energy levels and stamina, enabling them to complete feedings more quickly and efficiently.

Latching and Milk Transfer:

   -Late Preterm Infants: May struggle with latching onto the breast properly, leading to inefficient milk transfer. This can necessitate additional support, such as the use of nipple shields or supplementary feeding devices.

   -Full-Term Infants: Usually latch more easily and effectively, facilitating better milk transfer during breastfeeding.

Feeding Frequency:

   -Late Preterm Infants: Often require more frequent feedings due to their limited ability to consume large volumes of milk in a single feeding session.

   -Full-Term Infants: Can typically consume larger amounts of milk per feeding, allowing for longer intervals between feedings.

Supplementation Needs:

   -Late Preterm Infants: More likely to need supplementation with expressed breast milk or formula to ensure they meet their nutritional needs and support adequate growth and weight gain.

   -Full-Term Infants: Generally able to meet their nutritional requirements solely through breastfeeding or standard bottle feeding.

Risk of Jaundice:

   -Late Preterm Infants: Higher risk of developing jaundice, which can affect feeding patterns and overall health. Effective and frequent feeding is critical in managing this condition.

   -Full-Term Infants: While jaundice can occur in full-term infants, it is typically less severe and easier to manage through regular feedings.

Growth Monitoring:

   -Late Preterm Infants: Require closer monitoring of their growth and development to ensure they are meeting milestones and gaining weight appropriately.

   -Full-Term Infants: While growth and development are monitored, they generally follow a more predictable growth pattern.

Understanding these differences is essential for caregivers and healthcare providers to offer the appropriate support and interventions to ensure that both late preterm and full-term infants thrive.

 

This means your expectation is you may have to triple feed or do lots of pumping until baby becomes efficient, which is usually 2-3 weeks PAST their due date. They need extra time to figure out how to efficiently feed. Many parents who had babies born at 37 weeks were not told their baby may struggle to breastfeed for the next 4-6 weeks, so they give up on breastfeeding just a few weeks in  don’t give up!!! Your baby just needs time to figure it all out  

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