What is the best way to breastfeed a preemie?

With Love & Patience: Aside from the technical challenge of breastfeeding, per se, you may have to navigate related challenges, like 1) stress of the nicu experience itself. 2) unexpected setbacks. 3) ever-changing nicu staff, with different personalities, expectation, & comfort levels. 4) tubes, wiring, monitors, etc. 5) less-than-private nicu nursing environment. 6) maintaining your supply... (see "tips" for more).

Kangaroo Care: Even if your preemie can't nurse yet, ask the nicu staff about kangaroo care. This allows for skin-to-skin time. Assuming your premie isn't too fragile, the warm touch of a parent is healthy for his emotional state, and kangaroo care promotes infant-parent bonding. It can also serve as a source of encouragment and re-invigoration for parents amidst the often stressful nicu experience.

Pump Often: Even if you can't put your baby to the breast, and even if your baby is taking only a small amount of milk, pumping will help maintain your supply, and it may give you some milk to spare. Freeze any extra milk for future use.

Latch when Empty: If your premie has trouble latching, practice latching after pumping. Often times, it's easier for a baby to latch when the breast is not as full. Eventually, your baby will figure out how to latch on even when you're full.

Make Practice Runs: Practice latching when your premie is not hungry, ie. After a feeding. Latching is a learned skill, and sometimes babies will show more patience--and will actually learn faster--if they're not so hungry.

Take Care of You: Remember to take care of yourself. In order to produce adequate, rich milk, your body needs a lot of energy. You just delivered a baby, and you're dealing with stress of having a baby in the nicu. Make sure to eat a well-rounded, robust, and healthful diet, yourself.

Football Hold: Being "scrunched" can make it harder coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing. The football hold allows your preemie's body to remain stretched out. Using a pillow to support your premie can also help.

Lactation Consultant: This is what they do best. Out of the hospital, their services can cost upwards of $60 per hour, but in the hospital, it's included. Utilize the hospital lactation consultants whenever possible.

Nursing Staff: Nicu nurses are some of the best you'll find. Highly dedicated & exceptionally well trained, they also have a lot invested in your premie. Still, they have different comfort levels & different personalities, good days and bad days. Show your appreciation for the nursing staff and maintain a good rapport. They can become your best nicu advocates and they'll help you reach your breastfeed goals.