Keywords

breast-feeding, milk collection, preterm infant, pumping

 

Authors

  1. Hurst, Nancy M. DSN, RN, IBCLC

Abstract

Mother's own milk is considered best for preterm infants. Given the often protracted period between birth and breast-feeding for most preterm newborns, a number of challenges exist for mothers and neonatal intensive care unit nurses in establishing lactation, providing mother's own milk, and achieving breast-feeding. This article conceptualizes breast-feeding the preterm infant in the context of the neonatal intensive care unit as a 3-phase process, the 3 M's of breast-feeding: medication, mother's milk feedings, and the mechanics of breast-feeding.