The Michigan Breastfeeding Network is trying to draft a *Best Practices*
document for the NICU and we were wondering if anyone out there has already
done this? We don't want to completely re-invent the wheel, if we don't
have to. Our goal is to have a document that can be distributed to
healthcare professionals (NICU and others) and families that informs and
gives rationale and concrete direction towards promoting, protecting, and
supporting breastfeeding for the NICU infant (specifically preterm).

So far, we are thinking of constructing our points along the lines of the
Baby Friendly steps with some adaptation for the NICU infant:
1. written policy
2. all staff are trained to implement the policy
3. mom's are informed and encouraged by healthcare providers to provide
their infants with their milk
4. initiate breast-pumping early and how to maintain supply
5. steps towards actual breastfeeding:
        kangaroo, room-in, progressive feeding plan
6. feed nicu baby human milk- mom's, banked
7. facilitate feeding at breast
8. evaluate breastfeeding rates/recognize good staff practices
9. after d/c support: lay groups & LC help
10. 3rd party reimbursement

Anyway... we would appreciate any ideas or suggestions that the LACTnet
community has. Please reply privately so we don't clog up LACTnet. Thanks
so much!

Mari Douma and Karen Koss

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