In the NICU

Congratulations on the birth of your baby. If your baby is being treated in UR Medicine's Golisano Children's Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), we are here to support you with the challenges you may face with breastfeeding. Each room in the NICU has a hospital-grade breast pump for you to use while you are here. Download the Breastfeeding a premature or high-risk baby handout for tips that can help meet your and your baby's unique needs.

Inpatient Breastfeeding Support

We have a team of highly trained board-certified lactation consultants and certified lactation counselors who also have experience with fragile babies in the NICU as registered nurses. A lactation consultant is available in the NICU 7 days a week, from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

To reach an inpatient lactation consultant, ask your nurse to page “Lactation”.

We also offer consultations to help you if breastfeeding isn't going according to plan. We can discuss medications, low milk supply, and other things that may be hindering your goals. Review the Your Inpatient Breastfeeding Medicine Consult handout for more details.

Promoting Mother's/Parents' Own Milk

Hand expression or pumping in the first few hours after birth is important to start a milk supply. Hand expression or pumping are recommended at least 8 times in a 24-hour period.

Pump on the "Initiation" setting on the pump for 15 minutes for the first 5 days, or until your lactation consultant guides you otherwise. After 5 days or your second milk has come in, switch your pump to the "Maintain/Standard" setting to increase milk production.

Donor Milk Program

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at UR Medicine's Golisano Children's Hospital has launched a donor milk program to help provide for the nutritional needs of premature infants. Babies with very low birthweights - those weighing less than 3.3 pounds - now have access to donor breast milk and donor milk products when a mother's own milk is not available.