Nothing prepared me for being a breastfeeding mother in the NICU. I had breastfed 3 kids for 18 months or more with no problems, but when #4 was born, he was not able to breastfeed for weeks. I was pump dependent and that was incredibly challenging. Fortunately, we were able to successfully breastfeed for 2.5 years with no supplementation, but that is rarely the case for the NICU families I care for. What is your experience working with NICU families? Read this amazing book for applying best practices around human milk in the NICU: https://amzn.to/3KEGvde
Christina Otto
2mo
I really like how this is worded in the description, “discusses the advantages of human milk feedings and the elements of hazard or risk introduced by the use of formulas, including rationales for the use of both mother’s own milk and donor human milk in the NICU.”
Lactation Consultant with lots of experience
2moAs a lactation consultant , it’s very stressful for parents of Infants in the NICU. Pumping consistently is a challenge due to many factors and many have very low milk supply. They often feel robbed of a normal breastfeeding experience and grieve not having that connection. While there is hope and encouragement I find that just giving them space to express themselves (no pun intended), telling them I value their efforts no matter how little they are pumping and I acknowledge it’s not easy and hug them often if they cry. I think woman to woman it makes them feel much better and sometimes motivates them to keep trying or even let it go if they are ready to just focus on baby. I support all their choices along the journey of motherhood