Breastfeeding Tips for Late Preterm Babies

Recent research has shown that moms of late preterm infants should use breast pumps and nipple shields to stimulate their milk supply. Ideally, breastfeed infants should feed for a minimum of 15 minutes, every 2-3 hours during the day. However, preterm babies are not as adept at feeding as full-term babies, resulting in possible health issues such as jaundice and respiratory difficulties. In these cases, using a hospital-grade pump can simulate what the baby should be doing and stimulate milk supply at the same time.

Silicone nipple shields can help, but keep in mind that they are temporary and should not be used for long periods of time. It can be very difficult to wean a baby from a shield, and because there is a barrier between the baby and the breast, proper stimulation may not be achieved. Be mindful of your milk supply if using a shield. Talk to a lactation consultant about any issues you may be having.

Once the preterm baby is latching on well to the breast, staying alert during feeds, and gaining weight, she can start to decrease the pumping and nipple shield interventions.