All babies need breastmilk for optimal grown and development but there are numerous reasons why premature infants need breastmilk even more than full term infants. The breastmilk of a mother who has given birth to a preterm infant is specially formulated for preterm growth needs. Even small amounts of breast milk can provide premature babies with health benefits that last through childhood and potentially their entire life.
The following information is not a substitute for help from a lactation professional!

• Babies born prematurely miss out on the transplacental delivery of calcium, iron and immunoglobulins that occurs during the third trimester. The only way premature infants can receive the crucial infection fighting immunoglobulins is via breastmilk.



• The low renal solute load provided by breastmilk is easier on premature kidneys.



• The laxative effects of colostrum and the enzymes in breastmilk that "pre-digest" nutrients are important for the immature digestive systems of preemies.



• NEC is 6 times more common in formula fed preemies than their breastfed peers.



• At age 7.5-8 years old, preterm infants who were fed formula had lower IQs than their breastfed counterparts. Interestingly enough, the IQs are dose related...the longer babies were breastfed, the higher the IQ!



• Breastfeeding provides bonding opportunities, warmth and physical closeness via skin-to-skin contact. All preemies need skin-to-skin. Ask your medical providers about "kangaroo care."



• When you start breastfeeding your premature baby, your body produces and transfers antibodies (even to the specific bacteria in your baby's environment) to your baby.

Be assured - your body produces the perfect food for your baby. In fact, your body was producing milk to feed him by the time you were 16 weeks pregnant! Depending on his gestational age at birth, he may not have developed the ability to suck and swallow yet and your colostrum may need to be tube fed to him.

Even if your baby can not be fed food via his mouth, ask the doctors about non-nutritive suckling. If your baby is being given a pacifier you may be able to arrange skin-to-skin sessions after you have pumped and your baby can be given the opportunity to suckle at your breast for comfort. Any baby in the NICU that can take a pacifier can take a pumped breast for comfort. This will help avoid nipple confusion.

I cannot cover all of the issues involved with breastfeeding a premature infant here. Make sure that your doctor and the hospital staff know that you are commited to breastfeeding. Ask if the hospital has a lactation specialist on staff for you to work with. If not, contact one as soon as you possibly can.

Tips for getting started:


• Your baby's nurse should be able to provide milk collection supplies. Ask how you should label the storage containers.
  
  
• Milk must be removed from your breasts on a regular basis as soon as possible after delivery even if your baby is not ready to feed at your breast in order for your body begin milk production. Double pumping (expressing milk from both breasts at the same time) is faster and more convenient than pumping from one breast at a time and often increases your milk supply. A hospital-grade electric breast pump with a milk collection kit attached to the breast pump allows you to double pump. A nurse will help you get started using the breast pump.
  
  
• Pump as often as you can, especially during the first week after your baby's birth. Try to express your milk 8 to 12 times in each 24-hour period.
  
  
• At first you will express only drops of colostrum, but your milk supply will increase each day with frequent pumping.
  
  
• After you are discharged from the hospital, you may need to rent an electric breast pump to use at home. The costs of the pump rental may be covered by insurance. Your baby's nurse or a breastfeeding professional can help you make the rental arrangements.

See Also: Breastfeeding Triplets One mom's story about nursing her preemie triplets Breastfeeding the Hospitalized Baby Cyndi Egbert Though nor specifically about premature infants, this article has wonderful information about breastfeeding in the event of a long hospital stay Finger-feeding a Preemie from Midwifery Today Follow-up to Finger-feeding a Preemie from Midwifery Today Using a Lactation Aid Dr. Jack Newman Finger Feeding Dr. Jack Newman Breastfeeding Help Resources You will most likely need help from a breastfeeding professional Pumping and Storage of Breastmilk