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Your baby's nutrition and feeding are a very important part of their stay in RNICU. Nutrition can be accomplished in different ways including intravenous fluids, TPN/IL, breastfeeding, bottle or formula
feeding, or any combination of these. Infants who are NPO, or not feeding, will receive TPN (total parenteral nutrition) that contain proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals
important for your baby's growth. Usually feeding is introduced gradually as a baby's medical condition and gestational age allow. Prior of 33-34 weeks gestation,
a baby will be fed by gavage (tube feeding) because prior to that gestation a premature baby is unable to coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing all together.
Breast milk is the most appropriate milk for your baby. Human milk is not only important for nutrition, it also adds antibodies and defense cells that helps to prevent and
fight infection, not counting the psychological benefits for you and your baby. When breast milk is not available for medical reasons, or personal choice, there are multiple formulas made to imitate
breast milk and made to provide extra supplements depending on your baby's needs. Your baby's doctor will advise you as to the kind of formula or supplement is best for your baby's needs.
Formula Feeding
Formula can be used to provide needed nutrition for your baby. Babies are fed infant formulas designed to meet their individual needs. Special formulas also are available to meet
the specific growth needs of premature infants. Your baby's doctor will select the best formula to meet each infant's nutritional needs.
Breastfeeding
Pumping
Most premature or sick infants are not strong enough or mature enough to nurse at breast until they have had enough time to become healthy
or to grow and develop. During this time, it is important for you to prepare for breastfeeding by pumping with a breast pump which stimulates your breasts to produce milk. It will take about 3-5
days after delivery for your milk to come in, but pumping should be started as soon as possible after delivery (preferably within the first 8 hours) to establish and maintain an adequate milk supply.
It is recommended that you pump every 2-3 hours during the day or about 8 times per day. Electric breast pumps are available in RNICU in the breastfeeding room
for you to use while your baby is in the unit. A breast pump kit can be obtained from your baby's nurse along with a packet of information about breastfeeding. Also,
your baby's nurse can help you with breastfeeding tips and information, and a lactation consultant is available by appointment. Depending upon
your insurance carrier, and with a prescription from your baby's doctor, you may be able to obtain an electric breast pump for home use.
Breast Milk Storage
It is important that you wash your hands well before pumping milk for storage to prevent contamination. When your baby is ready to be fed, the breast milk that you have pumped and collected can be fed to your baby through a feeding tube or bottle until he/she is ready to breastfeed.
After pumping, breast milk should be poured directly into a sterile container, such as plastic baby bottle liners, secured, and refrigerated as soon as possible.
Breast milk that you have collected can be stored in the RNICU refrigerators for up to 48 hours. Breast milk can also be frozen and stored in the RNICU freezer. Frozen breast milk may be stored for 3-6 months. Frozen breast milk, once thawed, must
be used within 24 hours and then discarded. It cannot be refrozen. All stored breast milk must be clearly labeled with baby's name, date and time of pumping.
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