As many others have posted, from over 15 years NICU experience more moms
have willingly initiated breastpumping for their premi. I've only had a
couple of times over all these years that a mom chose not to pump because
she was afraid there'd be no baby. For most mom's it was another thread
of "hope"..."if I do this, my baby will be ok"..one of those "deals" we
make when facing such potiential heartbreak. In the cases were there was no
baby to later recieve the milk, the option to donate it to the milk banks
was accepted thankfully....
I wrote a poem a while back and it's posted in out NICU pumping area.
Please excuse it's lack of professional format- ( thats why I'm a nurse and
not a poet by profession :) But many of the mom's have commented favorably
on it so I thought I'd share.

The Breastfeeding NICU Mom

Mechanical siver, plastic and glass
by it's side many hours I sit and pass.
Pumping to support your premature need,
providing the substance from which you'll feed.
In darkest night to early dawn
I labor and pump to aid the fight on.
To promote your tiny defenses,
protect against germ war offenses.
You fight so bravely, so tiny, so small
surrounded by Doctors, Nurses and all.
Yet only I can provide what is best,
to support your growth and to help protect.
Someday I will hold you close to my breast,
admiring your courage,your strength through this test.
But until that long awaited time comes,
I'll continue to pump and help you grow strong.

Lisa Jones RN IBCLC

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