The NICU
by Barbara Dehn - 10th October 2008
The other day, Kate blogged about breast milk in ice cream. Wow, just when you think you’ve heard it all, there is a surprise around the corner. This would be funny, except that the person or people who are promoting this idea may not be aware of the critical shortage of breast milk for the most vulnerable babies. Last week, I was in a meeting with NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) nurses talking about premature babies and what criteria they use when determining which babies can use banked breast milk. It would be ideal if all the babies had access to banked milk, but there isn’t enough for every baby. Various hospitals have different protocols that determine which babies need it most. For some centers, the babies need to be born 12 weeks prematurely, others 8 weeks prematurely. The nurses were talking about how they use specialty formulas. These are higher calorie formulas that can be mixed with pumped milk or milk from a bank. Often though, there isn’t enough breast milk to mix, so they’re fed to the babies without any additives. The nurses rely on these to help the most fragile little ones survive, grow and get ready to go home. I wish that there was an abundance of breast milk, because there is an enormous need in every NICU around this country.
Comments
Past Entries
This Week's
Question
Sign the Petition
Do moms know best? We believe they do, but the government may not..
Your freedom to choose between breast and bottle-feeding could be in jeopardy.
