DELAYED INITIATION OF BREAST-FEEDING THE PRETERM INFANT

It is well documented that mother's milk is the best source of nutriti on for the preterm infant. However, mothers of preterm infants face ob stacles during the early stages of the breast-feeding experience. This study examined the experiences of 13 mothers whose preterm infants in itiated suckling at the breast on day 14 or later after birth. Eight w eeks after delivery, six infants were exclusively receiving mother's m ilk four were receiving mother's milk and formula, and three infants h ad been weaned entirely from mother's milk. Some of the problems encou ntered by these mothers may have been averted with input from health p rofessionals with special knowledge in breast-feeding the preterm infa nt. A clinical pathway for breast-feeding preterm infants is presented .