I work with WIC women with premature babies and many tell me how helpful the 
support group for NICU moms is at one particular hospital. The other thing 
NICU moms tell me is how much better they feel when they have talked to 
another NICU mom about various problems. So I would suggest trying to change 
from "class" to "support group" where moms can talk about their issues, 
problems, fears, etc.

Continuing to pump week after week is a big issue too. There is usually very 
little hospital support for moms to continue pumping. Seems like once baby 
is eating ok, formula is ok, and moms give up pumping. I'd like to see a 
hospital program where moms are given those ribbon awards or a certificate 
for continuing to pump and the awards are posted on or near the crib so all 
can see.

The other thing that seems almost universal among my clients is how afraid 
they are of the baby when they bring him home. They are afraid to try to 
breastfeed! Part of this problem is how a majority of our moms with premies 
are also being told to feed special formulas because their baby should not 
breastfeed (even the 34 weekers at birth who are now 6 pounds upon 
discharge). Most refuse to consider feeding directly at the breast, even 
when offered a free 2 hour in-home consultation by a good IBCLC.

Women also need to know how to properly bottle-fed a baby and about 
different nipples and milk flow. We get alot of women using the hospital 
nipples and they feed the baby 4-8 ounces at one time (these are premies who 
have been home 2-3 weeks).

Kathy Eng, BSW, IBCLC 

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