Breastfeeding Babies With Special Needs

Some babies have health problems that make it more challenging to breastfeed. You can stay firm with your choice to breastfeed and get help from a lactation consultant. Breast milk and early breastfeeding are still best for both the health of you and your baby, especially if your baby is premature or sick.

Even if your baby can’t breastfeed directly from you, it’s best to express or pump your milk and give it to your baby with a cup or bottle. Be sure to continue lots of skin-to-skin contact with your baby.

Some of the most common health problems at birth are:

•being born early, or being premature
•Down syndrome
•heart defect
•jaundice
•cleft lip or palate
•tongue-tied
•needing to be in the intensive care
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