Frequently Asked Questions

The milk you provide is something only you can give your premature baby. Your breastmilk contains invaluable nutrients and immune factors that help your baby grow and develop well. Your milk also helps protect your babywhile his/her immune system is still developing. Premature babies get extra benefits from mom’s breastmilk including decreasing their risk for a serious infection in the intestines called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

Breastfeeding is different when you have a premature baby. Premature babies are not strong enough to feed at the breast so they receive expressed breastmilk instead. Breastmilk is expressed with the help of a breast pump.

We highly recommend pumping as soon after birth as you are able. Your bedside nurse will help you get started pumping as soon as you are ready. Frequent pumping (every two to three hours) will mimic the frequency of a newborn’s feeding pattern and promote a good milk supply.

There will be a pump at your baby’s bedside for you to use in the hospital. If you do not have a pump at home yet, your nurse can contact the social worker to help you get a pump at little or no cost to you. You will need a breast pump at home by the time you are discharged from the hospital.

Your fresh milk is best for your baby. Donor human milk must be pasteurized for safety- pasteurization kills the infection-fighting live cells. It is a good bridge when a mother is actively pumping and trying to increase her own milk supply but it is not an equal substitute.

At UAB, you are able to stay 24/7 in your baby’s room. We encourage you to pump at your baby’s bedside. Being closer to your baby while pumping can increase the amount of milk you produce. There are also lactation rooms available for pumping.

A lactation consultant will automatically meet you after your baby is born to help guide and support you through your breastfeeding and pumping journey. The lactation consultant will provide you with a larger packet that has information about the benefits of breastfeeding, increasing your milk volume, using a breast pump, hand expression, and storing your milk. The lactation consultant will also be able to answer your questions about breast-feeding and pumping. If you’d like to speak with a lactation consultant, please notify your bedside nurse, or call 205-975-8334.