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Review
. 2017 Mar;44(1):1-22.
doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2016.11.005. Epub 2016 Dec 27.

Evidence-Based Methods That Promote Human Milk Feeding of Preterm Infants: An Expert Review

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Review

Evidence-Based Methods That Promote Human Milk Feeding of Preterm Infants: An Expert Review

Paula P Meier et al. Clin Perinatol. 2017 Mar.

Abstract

Best practices translating the evidence for high-dose human milk (HM) feeding for preterm infants during neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization have been described, but their implementation has been compromised. Although the rates of any HM feeding have increased over the last decade, efforts to help mothers maintain HM provision through to NICU discharge have remained problematic. Special emphasis should be placed on prioritizing the early lactation period of coming to volume so that mothers have sufficient HM volume to achieve their personal HM feeding goals. Donor HM does not provide the same risk reduction as own mother's HM.

Keywords: Breast pump; Human milk; Lactation initiation and maintenance; Neonatal intensive care unit; Preterm infants.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Volume of milk consumed at the breast and as extra milk (supplements and complements of pumped mothers’ milk) during the first 4 weeks at home in premature infants discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit. (Courtesy of N. Hurst, PhD, Houston, TX; P. Meier, PhD, Chicago, IL; and J. Engstrom, PhD, Chicago, IL.)

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