Parents of sick or premature infants often spend many days pumping. Building and maintaining a breast milk supply can provide more feeding options as their baby grows.
Many parents of babies in the NICU pump breast milk for days, weeks or longer. With the right support, many can continue working toward their breastfeeding goals.
Depending on the NICU environment, there may have been barriers to breastfeeding. Some units have private single-family rooms. Others use pod-style layouts with a curtain for privacy.
Nuzzling is similar to kangaroo care. Your baby can spend time close to the breast, become familiar with feeding cues, latch and suckle when ready, and help stimulate milk production.
The more opportunities a baby has to practise breastfeeding, the more confident and effective feeding can become.
A lot happened while your baby was in the neonatal intensive care unit. It is a place no parent wishes to be, but most are grateful it was there when their baby needed care. Feeding a premature or medically complex baby can bring many challenges. Learning to feed and gain weight is one of the final hurdles many premature or medically complex babies must overcome.
This is a private in-home consultation. Maxine comes to the address you provide when booking.
Feeding can come with many questions and a lot of conflicting advice. Below you’ll find clear answers to common questions about Breastfeeding After NICU or Premature Birth.
If your question is not listed, contact Maxine or schedule a free virtual meet and greet.
The NICU environment although so necessary for infants who require this level of care, it is a separation from mom to establish a robust milk supply (best done with ad lib breastfeeding). Preterm infants are born too soon, and have a myriad of challenges they overcome with time, maturity and growth. Some infants make a detour to the NICU for surgical intervention, phototherapy, stabilize blood sugar, and time to learn how to eat, and grow.
Yes, absolutely. Many NICU and preterm babies can breastfeed—either right away or with gradual support. We’ll meet your baby where they are developmentally and build a feeding plan that is re-evaluated as your baby grows. The plan supports their feeding needs and your milk supply, whether that includes direct breastfeeding, pumping, or both.
