August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month—a time to recognize the importance of human milk and the support families need to reach their feeding goals. 💛
For NICU families, that journey often looks very different than expected.
Your baby may not be ready to feed at the breast right away, but that doesn’t mean your breastfeeding journey has to wait. Expressing milk early and often, providing colostrum for oral care, spending time skin-to-skin, and beginning to learn your baby’s individual cues are all meaningful ways you can participate and begin building the foundation for what comes next.
A different beginning doesn’t mean breastfeeding isn’t possible.
For premature and medically fragile infants, human milk can be especially valuable. Early and consistent lactation support can help parents establish and maintain their milk supply while their baby grows and develops the skills and readiness needed for feeding.
And remember, your feeding goals matter. Talk with your NICU and lactation team about those goals and how they can support you. Ask about opportunities for skin-to-skin care, colostrum oral care, learning your baby’s cues, and creating positive feeding experiences as your baby develops.
Feeding is about more than nutrition. These early experiences can also provide opportunities to connect with your baby, participate in their care, build confidence, and begin learning how to respond to what your baby is telling you.
This year’s theme, RISE: Resilience, Interdependence, Self-Determination, Empowerment, feels especially meaningful for NICU families.
The NICU may change how your feeding journey begins, but it doesn’t have to take that journey away.
Every step builds confidence, connection, and possibility. 💛
The journey is still unfolding…
#BreastfeedingAwarenessMonth #NICUParents #NICUFamilies #familycenteredcare #breastfeedingawareness