A Guiding Hand for Families in Special Care Nurseries - Digital - Book - Page 34
Special Care Nursery (SCN)
If you can’t breastfeed, it’s OK
Most mothers hope to breastfeed and most premature and sick babies
can be breastfed. But some mothers may have problems with milk
supply, perhaps due to baby arriving early, complications from the illness
that caused baby’s prematurity, being on medication or baby being too
small to suck.
Speak with nursery staff and let them know your concerns. You still may be
able to express your milk and feed your baby by bottle.
If you’ve done all you can but you have been unable to establish your milk
supply, please be assured that you are in no way letting your baby down
and that you are not alone. We can only do what we can and baby will be
fine with all the love and attention they get from you. If you are concerned
about criticism from others, a simple explanation like “My baby was born
prematurely/sick and was too small to suck” usually results in sympathy and
understanding.
Services to help you can be found in the Community Services Guide in Section 6
Milk Banks
Milk Banks provide opportunities for babies in neonatal units to
access donated breast milk. Ask your nursery staff for more information
about these.
• The Perron Rotary Express Milk Bank at the King Edward Memorial
Hospital: www.kemh.health.wa.gov.au
• The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Milk Bank:
www.health.qld.gov.au
• The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Women and Babies:
www.slhd.nsw.gov.au
• Melbourne’s Mercy Health Breast Milk Bank:
www.mercyhealthbreastmilkbank.com.au
What is Breast Milk Fortification?
Because of the very high nutritional needs of very pre-term babies, many
will need extra protein, minerals and vitamins over and above what they get
in breast milk. So the nurses, doctors or dietician may recommend a breast
milk fortifier (which comes as a powder) to be added to your expressed
Life’s Little Treasures Foundation | Supporting Families of Premature & Sick Babies
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