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A Parent's Guide to the NICU
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Breastfeeding the High Risk Newborn
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Giving birth to a premature or other high-risk
baby (or babies) does not mean you cannot breastfeed. Actually, the
opposite may be the case. There is even more reason to provide your
own milk for, and eventually breastfeed, a premature or a sick
newborn. Providing your milk for your baby lets you participate in
your baby's healthcare in a very crucial way. Because the benefits
of mother's milk are so important to the high-risk newborn, you are
able to do something for your baby that no one else can. Our NICU
staff members encourage mothers to provide their own milk for
high-risk babies, even if those mothers do not intend to breastfeed
later.
As the mother
of a high-risk newborn, you may have to overcome difficulties that a
mother and full-term, healthy baby are unlikely to run into when
learning to breastfeed. However, you and your baby will learn to
breastfeed. It simply may take a bit more patience and persistence.
How soon you and your baby can begin to breastfeed will depend on
the maturity of your baby's brain and body systems. Although a
baby's gestational age influences the development of stable body
systems and the development of the reflexes needed for oral
feedings, a baby's physical condition may also affect when direct
breastfeeding can begin.
Until your
baby is able to breastfeed, you can express your milk (remove milk
from your breasts) to establish and maintain breast milk production.
Milk expression also allows your high-risk baby to get the benefits
of your milk as soon as his/her gastrointestinal tract is ready to
handle gavage (tube) or oral (by mouth) feedings. Plan to continue
to express your milk until you know your baby is able to get all
needed nourishment directly from your breasts.
Listed in the directory below is some additional information
regarding breastfeeding a high-risk newborn, for which we have
provided a brief overview
The Benefits of Mother's Own Milk
Adding to Mother's Milk
Milk Expression
Milk Expression Techniques
Milk Collection and Storage
Delayed or Not Enough Milk Production
Moving Toward Breastfeeding
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