IF YOUR BABIES ARE separated In special cases, parents purposely separate It is very difficult for parents of multiples baby finishes. This milk can be taken their foremilk and hindmilk during milk to have their babies separated. This can to the NICU for the hospitalized baby. expression because they want to feed only occur when some infants are able to go home the hindmilk to their babies. Because and others must remain in the NICU. A BREASTFEEDING THE hindmilk contains concentrated fat and mother may feel guilty about having little HOSPITALIZED BABY calories, it can help premature babies gain time to breastfeed the baby who remains Most parents find that when babies are weight more quickly (if the doctor prescribes in the hospital because they are so busy separated between home and hospital, they hindmilk for your babies). A nurse or caring for and breastfeeding the babies who can breastfeed the hospitalized baby only lactation specialist will help you with this are at home. In addition, traveling to and once a day. Although you may worry that Label your colostrum so that the NICU technique. Freeze the foremilk and keep it at from the hospital makes the schedule even frequent bottle feedings will make it difficult staff will realize that it is different from home. You can feed it to your babies after more hectic. Even though there is no for the hospitalized baby to breastfeed after your later milk. Then find out what they are discharged from the hospital. “right” way to breastfeed under these coming home, there are no facts to support tracking system your babies’ nurses will circumstances, many parents and caregivers this idea. If you have established an use to ensure that all babies receive manage as follows. abundant milk supply and if your at-home colostrum. This is especially important if 1 baby is used to breastfeeding, your baby does not get started with feedings as hospitalized baby should be able to feed early as the others. Some colostrum should from the breast with a little practice. be frozen and saved for the baby who begins feedings later. FOREMILK AND HINDMILK When expressing milk for more than 1 baby, In general, the baby at be aware that there are differences in fat and home should feed at only 1 calories between your foremilk and hindmilk. breast each feeding Foremilk, which flows during the first few minutes of milk expression, looks thinner and is lower in fat and calories than hindmilk, which flows later. Take extra care to BREASTFEEDING BABY AT HOME thoroughly mix all of the milk from each The baby who is at home with you should be breast before you separate it into the sterile breastfed as frequently as possible, so that storage containers for your babies. This will this baby will be a skilled feeder by the time ensure that each baby is fed a mixture of your other baby comes home. Then, when all foremilk and hindmilk and receives adequate babies are home, you’ll be able to spend extra fat and calories to grow well. time helping the baby who was just discharged become accustomed to the breast. In general, the baby at home should feed at only 1 breast each feeding. Then use the pump to empty both breasts when that 60 61