Good post by the above Anon. I might add that someone in the family should try to be present 24/7 to have questions answered, to act as a liaison to mom and dad when they can’t be there. Make it clear that no medications/vaccines are to be given without discussing with parents first. Also at this early gestational age the baby may not initially be orally fed. It depends on the respiratory status-if breathing to fast, the baby can aspirate, also he might be on oxygen for a few days. IV fluids aren’t given during this time. There will be many tubes and lines which can be scary/intimidating. The baby, when allowed oral feeds may not suck well at the breast d/t weak oral/facial muscles and easily tiring out. The baby can be fed by bottle, dropper, cup fed and be given colostrum or breast milk. Often doctors and nurses might say they want to feed formula to see how the suck/swallow is. Make it clear-NO FORMULA. If mother can’t pump colostrum in the first 1-2 days she should hand express. Babies at this age only take 1-2 cc to start. Even if mother is pumping nothing, she should still pump every 2-3 hours to stimulate milk production. Follow with hand expression, if not pumping anything out. A good quality breast pump is necessary and it should be hospital grade (such as Medela or Ameda/Egnell manufacturers).

Good post. I might add that someone in the family should try to be present 24/7 to have questions answered, to act as a liaison to mom and dad when they can’t be there. Make it clear that no medications/vaccines are to be given without discussing with parents first. Also at this early gestational age the baby may not initially be orally fed. It depends on the respiratory status-if breathing to fast, the baby can aspirate, also he might be on oxygen for a few days. IV fluids aren’t given during this time. There will be many tubes and lines which can be scary/intimidating. The baby, when allowed oral feeds may not suck well at the breast d/t weak oral/facial muscles and easily tiring out. The baby can be fed by bottle, dropper, cup fed and be given colostrum or breast milk. Often doctors and nurses might say they want to feed formula to see how the suck/swallow is. Make it clear-NO FORMULA. If mother can’t pump colostrum in the first 1-2 days she should hand express. Babies at this age only take 1-2 cc to start. Even if mother is pumping nothing, she should still pump every 2-3 hours to stimulate milk production. Follow with hand expression, if not pumping anything out. A good quality breast pump is necessary and it should be hospital grade (such as Medela or Ameda/Egnell manufacturers).

Good post. I might add that someone in the family should try to be present 24/7 to have questions answered, to act as a liaison to mom and dad when they can’t be there. Make it clear that no medications/vaccines are to be given without discussing with parents first.