Help! My Baby is in the NICU.

Breastfeeding in the NICU

Whether your baby is in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) briefly or is there for weeks, this is a very scary experience. Seeing your baby hooked up to IVs and monitors can be overwhelming.

Feeling out of Control

Common feelings:

• Stressing over your child's health

• Simply miss holding their baby,

• Situation is not matching up to the expected vision of the newborn time

• Providing breastmilk is the only contribution

• Pressure to perform

These feelings can cause decrease in milk production

The stress alone can influence one’s milk production. Some moms have decreased volume due to the stress of separation from their baby. Some moms find that their milk volume decreases when the baby comes home. Adjusting is the common theme. We all handled stress differently. Every situation in the NICU is different.

Coping Skills

This is a difficult time for all parents. Here are a few things others have done to help them cope during this confusing time.

• Relaxation techniques

• Familial support

• Constant contact with your baby’s nurse is important

• Developing a rapport with those caring for your baby

• Skin to skin is vital

• Pumping by the bedside

• Bring personal clothing and/bedding into the NICU

• Bring music to play for your baby

By doing these actions, families are making a personal connection and contribution in the care of their baby. Nurses and doctors are constantly on site to answer any questions that you may have.

Can my baby still have breastmilk?

Pumping right after birth is very important. This gets your body on track for milk production. Also you know that you are providing for your baby.

It is completely normal to see only drops of milk in the first few days after birth.

Remember your baby’s stomach is very small and their required volume of milk is too.

Donor Breast Milk

This may sound sketchy at first, but it is a safe alternative if you are not able to provide everything at once. The Human Milk Bank (https://www.hmbana.org) has locations all over the US. The moms who have donated milk are screened, their milk has been tested, pasteurized, and retested. Yes some benefits are lost through this process but it’s still better than formula.

I tell moms that it is a bridge till their milk comes in. If you have this opportunity as an option, then take it. There are some cultures that do not use DBM (donor breastmilk). So be sensitive to others if they choose not to use it. The HMB offers a safe process and environment for parents who are in need that bridge.

Can my baby breastfeed in the NICU?

Absolutely. Breastfeeding in the NICU is very possible. As soon as your baby is ready, then a lactation consultant can help you. Depending on your baby’s situation, will determine the amount of practice you may need. Babies who are premature will need the most time to practice but they also tire very easily. Parents may only be able to practice once a day.

The thing to remember is that everyone is learning. Always ask for help when you need it. The hospital staff want you to be successful in feeding your baby.

Remember everyone’s goal is to get your baby healthy and home with you.