Feeding your NICU baby
We're here to help you prepare for feeding your baby while in the NICU. Our resources, tips and expert caregivers are available to you and your family.
Establishing your milk supply
Pump your breastmilk 8 times within every 24-hour period or more often if breasts feel full. It is important to establish this consistent pumping routine as soon as possible. Pumping should last for about 15 to 20 minutes and/or until 2 minutes after the milk stops flowing. A good tip is to keep a photo of your baby with your pump. Looking at a picture of your baby may help milk to start flowing.
Skin to skin with your baby
Benefits of skin to skin (also known as kangaroo care) include parent-infant bonding, improved milk supply, temperature stability and hormonal adjustment. Baby becomes colonized with bacteria on mom or dad's skin (which is good for baby's developing immune system).
Nonnutritive or "dry" breastfeeding
Dry breastfeeding may begin as early as 30 weeks corrected gestational age, depending on baby's stability. Readiness cues include rooting or restlessness at feeding time, waking with temperature and diaper change and sucking on pacifier or fingers. Dry breastfeeding helps baby practice latch and suck without milk flowing.
General breastfeeding guidelines
While learning to breastfeed, your baby may be tube fed at the same time, associating sucking with hunger satisfaction. As your baby becomes stronger and has more energy, he or she may be able to take a full feeding at the breast.
The "football" or "cross-cradle" positions usually work best for premature babies. Standard pillows or breastfeeding pillows (such as Boppy or My Brest Friend) are often helpful. Breastfeeding once per day or once per shift for a few minutes at a time is the typical starting point. Babies tend to be more stable during breastfeeding as opposed to bottle feeding when first learning to feed by mouth; they control the flow of milk at the breast. If the baby's suck is not strong, little milk will flow, allowing baby to manage breathing and eating together.
We encourage you to breastfeed your baby at least once daily and continue pumping regularly throughout your infant's NICU stay if you plan to breastfeed at home.