Everyone comes out a winner if we promote breastfeeding in prematures.
There is a profound misunderstanding on the part of the the staff in
the NICU if they think they whole issue is getting the baby off the
ventilator and breathing in room air.  There are tremendous risks
associated with being born prematurely, including increased risks of
being physically abused and/or neglected.  And worse vision, and lower
IQ, and...  There are other health issues as well.  It is for this
reason that breastfeeding must be encouraged.

There is no doubt that parents are still feeling excluded when their
babies are in NICU's.  There is nothing for them to do, except look,
awestruck, at all the fancy machinery.  Even the touching part is
honoured more in the breech than in the muzzle...in the vertex than in
the breech...in the breeches than in the bellbottoms...  Well you know
what I mean.  Mothers who can *do* something no one else can do,
provide milk for their babies, and *know* that the staff believes this
contribution is irreplaceable are given are tremendous boost in self
esteem and bond better with the baby.  If, unfortunately as is all too
common, the mother feels that bringing in milk is merely a pain for
the staff (as when staff do not bother looking in fridge if there is
milk there for the baby and just give formula instead), are less
likely to continue providing milk and breastfeed.

If staff in NICU's realize their responsibility goes *beyond* the
baby's discharge from the unit, they will change their attitudes.  But
the people at the top have got to provide the encouragement and the
"attitude".

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC