Medela Neonatal Perspectives

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for infants for the first six months of life and continued breastfeeding for one year or longer (AAP, 2012). Breast milk has many health benefits for infants, including decreased rates of respiratory infections, asthma, ear infections, and gastrointestinal illnesses. For preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care… Read More about “Predictions for Mother’s Own Milk Feedings at NICU Discharge”

The value of human milk for all infants is no longer a debate. Empirical evidence supports the practice of providing human milk regardless of infants’ gestational age. Due to immaturity, the premature infant may not be able to direct breastfeed, and may need to first receive human milk enterally. Depending on the infant’s gestational age… Read More about “Transitioning to Breastfeeding In the NICU”

Sometimes the community decision has been made for your hospital to transition to ENFit enteral connectors after months of discussion and inclusion of multiple departments. Now what? Where to begin? Are you ready? It’s time to roll up your sleeves and put together a plan. When developing a transition plan across the organization, there are… Read More about “The ENFit Enteral Connector Transition: Ready When You Are”

More than a hundred years ago they called them “weaklings.” That was the name they used for low birthweight newborns who were small and frail in appearance compared to their healthy term newborn counterparts. Ironically, those weaklings would be considered giants now in comparison to our contemporary preterm infants, who can be as small as… Read More about “A World Without NEC”

Most Level III and Level IV neonatal intensive care units currently use donor human milk (DHM) as a supplement to infant feedings when mother’s own milk (MOM) is not available. However, it can be challenging to prove cost-effectiveness. In addition, while DHM may be used, it is used differently in different settings.1 Its use may… Read More about “Cost-Effectiveness of NICU Infant Feeding”

Without question, human milk is the preferred nutrition for all infants. This is especially true for vulnerable, premature infants in the NICU, as human milk contains numerous components that are beneficial in preventing many morbidities associated with prematurity.1-7 All around the world, nurses, doctors, and healthcare providers want to assist breastfeeding families in meeting their… Read More about “Improving Health Outcomes for Vulnerable Infants: The 10-Step Model for NICU Human Milk Care”

The opioid crisis in the U.S. is ongoing and increasing in many areas. That means that a growing number of infants will be born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) and need treatment. Concerns for these infants are many, but as they are medically fragile, the categories of length of stay, transfers, and readmissions remain high… Read More about “Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in the NICU”

Last month, we posted a link to Dr. Diane Spatz’ (PhD, RN-BC, FAAN) previously recorded Facebook Live event on “Breastfeeding Initiation Risk Factors.” She took the opportunity to present research and information to clinicians and hospital staff about proper breast milk initiation, the value of human milk, and maternal risk factors that may impede coming… Read More about “Breastfeeding Initiation Risk Factors – TRANSCRIPTION”

The more I speak around the country, the more I become smitten with the immediacy of the moment, and veer away from my slides and script to interject a pearl or observation that comes to mind, or to reflect what I think the audience needs to hear at that time. That introduces a spontaneity that… Read More about ““Ad-Libbing” In the NICU: Cue-Based and Infant-Driven Feeding Methods”

Disparities related to quality healthcare access are a challenge in the U.S, and more often for women. That sounds a little difficult to imagine. It is shocking, especially since we are in the 21st Century, and considered by many to be in a country that has opportunity and equality for all. The goal of this… Read More about “Closing the Maternal and Infant Healthcare Disparities Gap”