Breastfeeding the late preterm infant.
Late preterm infants comprise the fastest growing segment of babies born prematurely. They arrive with disadvantages relative to feeding skills, stamina, and risk for conditions such as hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and slow weight gain. Breastfeeding these babies can be difficult and frustrating. Individualized feeding plans include special considerations to compensate for immature feeding skills and inadequate breast stimulation. Breastfeeding management guidelines are described that operate within the late preterm infant's special vulnerabilities.
Walker
Marsha
M
National Alliance for Breastfeeding Advocacy, Weston, MA, USA. marshalact@aol.com
D001942:Breast Feeding; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D006932:Hyperbilirubinemia / Q000517:prevention & control; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000517:prevention & control; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000517:prevention & control; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000379:methods*; D007775:Lactation Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009123:Muscle Hypotonia / Q000517:prevention & control; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D013391:Sucking Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D015430:Weight Gain