Our new NICU policy–>Breastmilk IS our babies food!

Yes! This HAS been accepted!!!

Here is an excerpt from our NEW NICU policy:

Policy Statement: It is the policy of the NICU to provide all mothers with factual information regarding the superior nutritional, immunological and therapeutic beneficial effects that human milk and breastfeeding will have on the health outcomes of their preterm or sick newborn so that their feeding decision will be evidence based. The healthcare professional has an ethical responsibility to avoid withholding information because of any unfounded concerns that informing mothers of research-based options may make them feel guilty if they choose not to breastfeed. The mother’s informed decisions will be totally supported and her infant will be provided nourishment in accordance with her decisions.  All mothers should be considered breastfeeding candidates until they specify intent to bottle feed.

Purpose: To promote and support human milk as the preferred method of providing nutrition. Provide assistance to the mother in establishing and maintaining breastfeeding.

Policy:

1. Any mother desiring to breastfeed or provide breastmilk for her baby will be given consistent current and correct evidence-based information, emotional support and encouragement she may need to reach her individual goals. Healthcare professionals will avoid conveying information based on any personal breastfeeding experience as it may not be appropriate or applicable in discussions with mothers.
2. Mothers may be asked/encouraged to temporarily pump/express and provide colostrum for their infant’s immediate protection and health needs regardless of their feeding choice.
3. The mother will be involved in all feeding plans as soon as possible.
4. All NICU infants will be fed according to their nutritional requirements as ordered by the physician.
5. Early trophic feedings of colostrum/milk to stimulate intestinal maturity will be utilized as ordered and when there is colostrum available. It is beneficial for infant to wait a day or two until colostrum is available to maximize the transfer of protective components. Colostrum should be given to infant in the order it was pumped.
6. Oral care/ mouth swabbing will be done using colostrum/ breastmilk.
7. A multidisciplinary approach involving the physician, NICU team, the mother and a lactation professional to develop an individualized feeding plan will be utilized as soon as feasible in accordance with each infants requirements and feeding abilities.
8. Cue-based feedings will be encouraged and utilized as soon as possible. All mothers will be provided educational information and encouraged to understand and participate in reading their infant’s feeding cues.
9. Kangaroo care and/or skin-to-skin will be utilized and encouraged as much as possible..
10. Stable premature infants should be allowed to go to mother’s breast during gavage feedings to ready infant for transition to breastfeeding.

Etc etc etc……………………………….. much more……………..

The policy I submitted was written using Marsha Walker’s  “Breastfeeding Management for the Clinician. Using the Evidence” as a major guide. I think I even used her words a lot. (Seriously-who can say it better?)

YAY! Thank you to my team and thank you Marsha!

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