Promoting Human Milk and Breastfeeding for the Very Low Birth Weight Infant: Clinical Report

Mother's own milk (MOM), appropriately fortified, provides optimal nutrition for hospitalized very low birth weight (VLBW [≤1500 g]) infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and confers a myriad of other short- and long-term health benefits. Every family of a VLBW infant should receive information about the critical importance of MOM to the health of their infants and receive intensive support throughout the full course of their infant's hospitalization to achieve their personal lactation goals. Provision of pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) is recommended when MOM is not available, insufficient in volume, or is contraindicated. PDHM should optimally be continued until the infant's risk to develop…