Premature Birth and Breastfeeding
Many parents feel helpless when their child requires so much medical attention, but a great way for you as a mother to be involved and provide the nourishment your child needs is to begin pumping your breast milk. This will provide your child with the ideal source of nourishment and keep your breasts ready for when your newborn can effectively nurse.
Babies born as a result of a premature birth have special needs. They are usually smaller and more susceptible to infection. They also nurse less effectively than a baby that was brought full term. Complicating matters is that your baby may require significant time inside a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit which will make it very hard for you to directly breastfeed.
Good communication with your doctor and other members of the hospital staff will allow you to be as involved as possible with your child at this time.
