Breastfeeding challenges for premature babies

Breastfeeding in the NICU

While breastmilk is the best nutrition for the special needs of preterm babies, challenges can arise when trying to breastfeed preemies in the NICU:

• The baby has trouble latching, sucking or breathing properly
• The mother is not yet producing enough milk
• Logistics or practices in the NICU do not encourage breastfeeding

These challenges may be frustrating, but by being proactive, mothers can make sure the baby gets as much breastmilk as possible, one way or another.

Ways to overcome challenges

• Try breastfeeding in a quiet, darkened place to minimize distractions
• Be patient; most babies don’t learn to nurse until 40 weeks gestation
• Talk with the NICU’s lactation nurse about alternatives like pumping and feeding via bottle or stomach tube
• Be flexible; a combination of mother’s milk and donated breastmilk might be the best solution

The most important thing is to speak up about your desire to breastfeed and be persistent with the NICU to get the help you need.

REFERENCES: Deborah L. Davis, Ph.D. and Mara Tesler Stein, Psy.D. “Meeting the Challenges of Breast-Feeding in the NICU” Excerpted from Parenting Your Premature Baby and Child: The Emotional Journey (Fulcrum, 2004), pages 301-305. Accessed online June 20, 2015 at http://www.pregnancy.org/article/meeting-challenges-breast-feeding-nicu March of Dimes in collaboration with Deborah L. Davis, Ph.D., and Mara Tesler Stein, Psy.D. “Feeding Your Baby in the NICU” Excerpted from the March of Dimes booklet, "Parent: You & Your Baby in the NICU" Accessed online July 20, 2015 at http://www.marchofdimes.org/baby/feeding-your-baby-in-the-nicu.aspx