BREASTFEEDING YOUR HOSPITALIZED BABY
Texas Children's encourages mothers to breastfeed their hospitalized infants

If your baby is premature or needs to be in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for other health care needs, breastfeeding may still be possible.

Texas Children's Hospital encourages and supports mothers who wish to breastfeed their hospitalized infants, and the Lactation Program and Mother's Milk Bank offer many services to help mothers provide this healthy source of nourishment.

More than 80 percent of the mothers of babies in Texas Children's Newborn Center provide breast milk to their babies – far surpassing the national average of 60 percent of all mothers who breastfeed.

The benefits of breastfeeding and milk collection are many. They can help you:

• Keep actively involved in your child's care.
• Feel you are helping your baby gain health.

Your decision to breastfeed your baby is a major one that will require commitment from you as well as support from your family, friends, relatives and hospital staff. The team at Texas Children's Lactation Program and the Mother's Own Milk Bank is here for you – whether your baby is hospitalized at Texas Children's or another hospital.

Texas Children's Lactation Program offers all mothers:

• Support from experienced, compassionate lactation consultants available by phone,
  e-mail or in person
• Pump rental and sales of breastfeeding supplies

Learn more about breastfeeding your hospitalized baby.