Feeding Plan For Infants Born Before 38 Weeks (Page 3 of 3) in pdf

• Depending on your infant’s age and feeding history, the above volume

recommendations may need to be adjusted. Your lactation consultant,

nurse or health care provider can assist you in making this decision.

• You may supplement your baby using a spoon, cup, supplemental

nursing device or paced bottle method depending on your infant’s

condition and your personal preference. Please ask your lactation

consultant or nurse to assist you in deciding which supplemental

method is best for you and your infant.

• Pump your breasts with a quality double electric breast pump after

every feeding for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours. This step is vital in

order to establish an adequate supply of breast milk until your infant is

transferring milk well directly from the breasts.

• The first 2 weeks postpartum are a “Critical” time in lactation. As a

result of hormonal changes, copious milk production begins around 72-

96 hours after delivery (about 3-4 days). At this time, milk production

continues to increase if milk is removed from your breasts frequently. If

your infant is having breastfeeding difficulties and is not able to empty

your breasts with feedings (every 2-3 hours), then it is vital that you use

your breast pump for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours in order to

establish and maintain enough breast milk to feed your infant.

• See your infant’s primary care provider within 1-2 days after discharge,

for continued supplementation advice.

Disclaimer: This document contains information and/or instructional materials

developed by the University of Michigan Health System (UMHS) for the typical

patient with your condition. It may include links to online content that was not

created by UMHS and for which UMHS does not assume responsibility. It does not

replace medical advice from your health care provider because your experience may

differ from that of the typical patient. Talk to your health care provider if you have

any questions about this document, your condition or your treatment plan.

Patient Education by

University of Michigan Health System

is licensed under a

Creative

Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

License.

Last Revised 8/20/2015

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Feeding Plan For Infants Born Before 38 Weeks Gestation

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