World Prematurity Day: Tips for Breastfeeding Your Premature Baby
World Prematurity Day: Tips for Breastfeeding Your Premature Baby
Carene Since the year 2008, we celebrate November 17 as World Prematurity Day. A global effort to raise awareness about preterm birth and its impact on families. This year’s theme as shared by WHO and UNICEF is, “Give preterm babies a strong start for a hopeful future”. The messages shared aimed to remind us that every child deserves a fair chance at living their best and healthiest life. The aim is always to highlight the shortcomings of health care and plea for universal access to high-quality care for this vulnerable population (WHO, 2025).
Premature babies (preemies) are classified as babies that are born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. They face unique challenges that require specialized care in a Neonatal Intensive Care unit. Breastfeeding plays a crucial role in supporting their growth and development. Breast milk is known to be a massive risk reducing factor for the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a type of gut infection with a high infant mortality rate. The kicker is that premature babies often struggle with a number of physiological and neurological barriers to breastfeeding, which tends to cause frustration and misunderstanding in our fast-paced health care system.
Breast milk is often referred to as “liquid gold,” especially for preemies. It provides vital nutrients, antibodies, and enzymes that help strengthen their fragile immune systems and support brain development. However, breastfeeding a premature baby can be different from feeding a full-term infant, often requiring patience, persistence, and guidance. I like to compare it to growing a garden; you start with a seed, gently nurturing it daily. Then as is grows you can transfer it to a pot, move it into the sun and perhaps throw in some fertilizer. As it blooms you can plant it in your garden with the rest of the plants and watch it flourish.
So let me share are some practical tips to help you sow your seeds and nurture the breastfeeding process, while watching your premature baby bloom:
- Start Expressing Early and Often
If your baby is too small or weak to breastfeed right away, start expressing milk as soon as possible after delivery—ideally within 1 to 2 hours. Frequent pumping, every 2 to 3 hours (8-10 times a day) helps establish your milk supply. Hand expression, combined with a hospital-grade electric pump, can be particularly effective in the early days.
- Build and Maintain Your Milk Supply
Premature babies may not be able to breastfeed directly for several weeks, but maintaining your milk supply is essential. Use techniques like power pumping (short, frequent pumping sessions) and ensure you stay hydrated and nourished.
Consider working with a lactation consultant or your hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) team for personalized support.
- Use Skin-to-Skin Contact
Kangaroo care, or skin-to-skin contact, is an easy but often underrated premature infant care strategy. It is known to assist with regulating the infant’s temperature, breathing and feeding reflexes. Naturally the infant is comforted against the mother’s skin, while also stimulating milk production. There are even speculations that the mother is able to produce more antibodies to protect against the surrounding pathogens if the baby is kept skin to skin (International Breastfeeding Journal, 2006). Holding your baby on your chest can encourage bonding and prepare both of you for breastfeeding.
- Feed Your Baby Colostrum
Colostrum, the thick, yellowish first milk, is packed with antibodies and nutrients. Even if you can only express small amounts, this milk is incredibly beneficial for your baby. NICU staff can help feed it to your baby via a tiny tube or syringe if direct breastfeeding isn’t possible. It can even be administered as a type of mouth care, to aid in building the immune system while utilizing every drop.
“Mothers described the offering of their breast milk to their preterm infants as a unique contribution that was likely to have a positive impact on their infants' outcome”.
- Practice Non-Nutritive Suckling
Once your baby is stable, ask if you can try non-nutritive suckling. This involves letting your baby latch onto your breast after a tube feeding. It helps your baby practice latching and sucking, which is essential for transitioning to full breastfeeding. Research shows that preterm infants feed more slowly and consume smaller volumes than full-term infants. This is due to the weak suction pressures and short sucking bursts of preterm infants (International Breastfeeding Journal, 2006).
- Gradually Transition to Breastfeeding
Transitioning from tube feeding to breastfeeding can take time. Start by offering your baby short, frequent breastfeeding sessions. NICU staff can guide you in identifying your baby’s feeding cues and determining when they’re ready for longer feeds.
- Use a Nipple Shield if Needed
Preemies sometimes struggle to latch due to their small mouths or weak suck. A nipple shield, a thin silicone cover that fits over your nipple, can make latching easier while still allowing your baby to receive breast milk, directly from the breast.
- Stay Patient and Flexible
Every preemie is different, and the journey to breastfeeding will vary. Some babies may take weeks to latch effectively, while others transition more quickly. Be patient with yourself and your baby, and celebrate small victories along the way.
- Seek Support
Breastfeeding a premature baby can be an emotional and physical challenge. Surround yourself with support from lactation consultants, NICU staff, online communities, or local breastfeeding support groups. Sharing your journey with other parents who’ve had similar experiences can be incredibly comforting.
- Prioritize Your Well-Being
Caring for a premature baby can be overwhelming, but your health and well-being are equally important. Rest when you can, eat nutritious meals, and lean on your support system. A healthy, supported parent is better able to care for their baby.
Why Breastfeeding Matters for Preemies
Breast milk is often referred to as “medicine” for preemies. It reduces the risk of serious complications like necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and infections, supports brain development, and improves long-term health outcomes. Even small amounts of breast milk can make a big difference.
On World Prematurity Day, let’s celebrate the resilience of premature babies and the incredible determination of their families. Breastfeeding a preemie may be challenging, but with the right support and tools, it’s a journey filled with love, perseverance, and hope.
If you’re a parent of a premature baby, remember: every drop of breast milk you provide is a gift to your child. You’re not alone in this journey, and there are countless resources and communities ready to support you every step of the way.
Together, we can ensure brighter, healthier futures for premature babies everywhere.
References:
2025, W. P. (2025). World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-prematurity-day/2025
Kathleen M Buckley, G. E. (2006). Benefits and challenges of transitioning preterm infants to at-breast feedings. International Breastfeeding Journal. Retrieved from Benefits and challenges of transitioning preterm infants to at-breast feedings.
