I am an RN in a developing NICU.  We are fortunate to have a director
who is very supportive of breastfeeding infants in the NICU.  That
said, it is VERY different breastfeeding infants in the NICU.  Many
times they are not full term infants, breastfeeding is a whole
different ballgame with a premie.  Many times these infants have had
surgery, again, very different than the full term healthy infant
breastfeeding, for example an infant who has not been fed by mouth for
a week, because of surgery.  To treat these mothers & their infants as
full term does them a great injustice! Long term pumping, perhaps not
holding or putting your infant to breast for weeks on end, are all huge
factors in milk supply and whether or not a mom will or can pump.  All
of the great research that is being done is fantastic but not all
NICU's have LC's who are NICU RN's and LC's as my unit is oh so
fortunate to have.  Any aspect of breastfeeding can be a huge challange
if things di not go as planned.
Off my soap box and off to work.  Please feel free to camment to my
personal e-mail if you would like.
Christine Gabler, RNC, IBCLC
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