In collaboration with Grace Dwyer, MS, MA, RD, LDN, IBCLC and Jaylee Hilliard, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CPXP with AngelEye Health, we published an article in Neonatal Intensive Care: The Journal of Perinatology and Neonatology for the Summer 2023 issue.
We reviewed why maternal milk is so beneficial to infants in the NICU and then discussed some of the common barriers for NICU mothers. The forced mother-infant separation once a baby is admitted to the NICU coupled with maternal comorbidities that may limit their supply, the stress mothers endure, and even the use of donor human milk in NICUs have all been attributed to insufficient maternal milk production.
Next, we review the early interventions that help set parents, especially mothers up for adequate milk production including early milk expression, education, increased awareness of the benefits, encouragement, and support. Additionally, by promoting bonding, skin-to-skin care, and minimizing separation between the mother and infant all promote bonding which ultimately positively impact milk supply.
By addressing the barriers of milk expression and breastfeeding that are common for NICU mothers, we hope that it brings more awareness to NICU parents and clinicians so positive interventions can be initiated early and effectively. Maternal milk is the gold standard for all infants, but especially NICU infants. It is imperative that NICU mothers feel supported through the process so infants can reap all of the benefits from their mother’s milk.