Delayed initiation of breast-feeding the preterm infant

It is well documented that mother's milk is the best source of nutrition for the preterm infant. However, mothers of preterm infants face obstacles during the early stages of the breast-feeding experience. This study examined the experiences of 13 mothers whose preterm infants initiated suckling at the breast on day 14 or later after birth. Eight weeks after delivery, six infants were exclusively receiving mother's milk, four were receiving mother's milk and formula, and three infants had been weaned entirely from mother's milk. Some of the problems encountered by these mothers may have been averted with input from health professionals with special knowledge in breast-feeding the preterm infant. A clinical pathway for breast-feeding preterm infants is presented.