Assessing and Facilitating Milk Transfer During Breastfeeding for the Premature Infant

Premature infants often experience problems when direct at-breastfeeding is initiated. More specifically, these difficulties include an inability to maintain attachment to the maternal nipple and/or falling asleep soon after attaching to the breast. Although studies show that premature infants are more physiologically stable during breastfeeding compared to bottle feeding for these initial feedings, milk transfer rates are generally lower at the breast. When clinicians have a better understanding of maternal and infant factors contributing to milk transfer during breastfeeding, interventions conducive to improving outcomes can be developed. This article seeks to describe the concept of milk transfer and the factors contributing to milk intake during breastfeeding for the premature infant.