When your baby is in the NICU, it is even more important that he or she
get powerful breast milk. In fact, the breast milk of the mother of a
preemie is specifically engineered for a premature baby. It isn't
always easy to breastfeed in the NICU, however. Here are tips on
breastfeeding in the NICU.
Get a Good Start
Many times, moms of NICU babies are not even allowed to breastfeed
their newborn baby. In fact, moms sometimes go hours or even days
before seeing their NICU baby. On top of that, the stress of having a
baby in the NICU can interfere with the start of breastfeeding and
breast milk production.
This is why it's even more crucial to get a good start and get as
much support as possible. In the delivery wing of the hospital, insist
they bring a breast pump and ask for the hospital's lactation
consultant. Do not delay, and make that request as soon as you deliver
(or ask your husband to do this).
Pump and Save The "Liquid Gold"
Even though it is hard to find motivation to pump when you're
stressed and exhausted, try to pump as soon as you feel able. Be sure
you insist that your NICU baby get your first breast milk pumped, even
if it is a tiny amount. This golden-tinted milk is called colostrum.
The reason it is so important for preemies to get this first milk is
that it is jam-packed with nutrients and the mother's own anti-bodies,
which can help a NICU baby fight off infections.
Even if your NICU baby cannot have breast milk yet and is on IV,
insist they freeze the colostrum and feed it to your baby as soon as
possible. Tell the NICU nurses you want to be there for that feeding.
That way, you can be sure your baby gets it.
Press the Issue of Breastfeeding
For NICU nurses and doctors, formula can be extremely tempting. It
puts weight on babies faster, but it isn't as perfect a food for babies
as breast milk.
You can sometimes face a battle insisting your baby get breast milk,
even expressed breast milk. It can be even harder to get a chance to
breastfeed.
Even if they tell you no, keep asking when your baby will be able to
be picked up and nursed. If they tell you no, also ask why you can't
breastfeed. Always push the issue, but do realize there can be
legitimate reasons for them to say no.
Get Comfortable Breastfeeding in the NICU
Ask if there is some way to get privacy for a nursing session, and
ask that the nurse leave you alone to it if that will make you feel
more comfortable.
Request the assistance of the hospital lactation consultant, and
don't be surprised or feel guilty if your baby is reluctant to nurse.
NICU babies aren't always ready. Just keep trying at every feeding in
which you are there.
NICU babies can get sleepy during breastfeeding sessions. Try
undressing your NICU baby down to a diaper and pressing the baby
against your body for warmth. You can even use a cool cloth across your
baby's skin to keep him or her alert for the feeding.
Experiment with different breasts. Sometimes, a baby has a side preference.
Pump and Go
The best way to stay on a course to breastfeeding your NICU baby,
both in the NICU and after your baby goes home, is to keep your supply
up. This can be extremely hard with the exhaustion and stress of
repeated trips to the hospital.
Pump frequently, and just keep pumping. Stay well hydrated, and eat
well. Save your breast milk to take to the hospital, and keep them in
good supply so they don't turn to formula.
If they suggest supplementing with formula, ask yourself and them if
it's really necessary. If you have enough milk to keep up with your
baby's feedings, there should be no reason to supplement.
Seek Help for Breastfeeding in the NICU
Finally, give yourself a break. Do all you can, but realize you
might need help. If the NICU nurses and even the hospital's lactation
consultant aren't providing enough support, contact La Leche League, an
experienced breastfeeding mom friend, or even consider hiring a
post-partum doula.
Don't let your nurse put off bringing you a pump. You should do your first pumping session just as soon as you would have nursed for the first time with a term baby, ideally, within an hour of birth!
Very good point! With my first, I didn't know how important it was to start early. The nurse kept telling me to rest first, and she didn't bring a pump for two days! I never produced milk well for my first child and always had to supplement. Second time around when the twins were in the NICU, I brought my pump with me AND asked for the hospital grade one as soon as I delivered!
Here is some advice, Rent a pump that pumps both breasts at the same time. This will help to stimulate your milk production. You can also ask a milk lactating nurse or the neonatologist about some herbals or pill that you can take to get your milk production a little boost. My daughter had stomach and bowel problems, she would have never been able to have real fromula.
