From those moments after birth to the very first feeds, parents of premature babies have a unique start to their journey. Whether your baby is in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) due to prematurity or another medical need, having solid support - both emotional and practical - can make all the difference in how you and your baby thrive.

Jess Day, editor at The Ribbon Box, recalls from her own experience, “As a preemie mom myself, I know it can feel like a monumental struggle. With my first baby (born at 35 weeks), our breastfeeding didn’t get going until day six after birth. A shared hospital pump was simply not cutting it, and I feared we’d lost that ‘window’ of mom and baby learning together.”

Jess continues, “Thanks to the help of a fantastic on-staff lactation consultant and lots of tears, trial and error, we got there when my little girl was just under a week old. Our first breast feed was on day six, we were combo feeding for a couple of months and then breastfed exclusively until she was 16 months old. It really doesn’t all have to happen on day one, two or three.”

NICU feeding comes with its own challenges. Often parents rely on a breast pump to establish and maintain their milk supply. With the right tools, guidance, and support system, breastfeeding in the NICU is absolutely possible.

Many preemies (premature babies) aren’t able to latch right away, so expressing milk with a pump becomes crucial. A high-quality breast pump can make all the difference in establishing and maintaining milk supply.

Beyond latching, NICU parents often juggle feeding schedules, bonding challenges, and the stress of medical uncertainties. Having a personal breast pump - rather than relying on a shared hospital one - can help parents pump in the privacy of their baby’s room and build confidence in their feeding journey.

It’s also a way to feel connected. Even if direct breastfeeding isn’t possible right away, pumping reminds moms that they are providing the very best they can for their baby.

It’s no secret that NICU babies often struggle with breastfeeding. Premature babies may have difficulty coordinating sucking, swallowing, and breathing, which can make direct nursing tricky.

That’s where triple feeding comes in. It’s a combination of breastfeeding, pumping, and supplementing - often with a supplemental nursing system - to help preemies transition to the breast.

Supplemental nursing systems vary in design but share the same purpose. Typically, they consist of a bottle or small bag filled with breast milk or formula, connected to thin tubes that deliver milk to your baby - often while breastfeeding.

When breastfeeding isn’t immediately possible, establishing a strong pumping routine is key. So, what does that look like?

Mimicking a newborn’s feeding schedule of every 2-3 hours - pumping 8-12 times per day - is crucial for milk supply. The first hour after birth is especially important. If nursing isn’t an option, hand expression or an electric pump must be used to stimulate milk production.

Skin-to-skin contact, also known as kangaroo care (or kangaroo mother care), plays a huge role in preemie feeding readiness. Holding your baby close and maintaining contact can help to regulate their breathing, body temperature, and even boost milk production.

For safe storage recommendations check out our breast milk storage guidelines , which follow CDC standards .

Medically fragile or high-risk infants, including premature babies, have weaker immune systems, making it even more important to follow safe milk storage guidelines.

KellyMom provides fantastic resources on breast milk storage for premature babies. Most importantly, always follow the specific guidelines provided by your NICU, which may vary based on your baby's specific needs.

In a pinch? Use these 101 tips for NICU milk storage, and talk to your nurse for specifics:

• Use sterile containers for collection
• Label milk with your baby’s name, date, and time of expression
• Keep milk cool during transport using an insulated cooler bag
• Follow the NICU’s instructions for freezing and thawing milk

You might have heard of the 5-5-5 rule (storing milk for 5 hours at room temp, 5 days in the fridge, 5 months in the freezer), but it’s important to note that this doesn’t currently align with CDC or WHO guidelines for breast milk storage.

Research shows that early and frequent milk expression makes a huge difference in long-term breastfeeding success. A study in Nature found that NICUs with strong breastfeeding support had higher rates of exclusive mother’s milk feeding . Another study from the Canadian Pediatric Society revealed that expressing milk within one hour of birth significantly increases the chances of establishing milk production (and later on, breastfeeding) . If a baby is unable to nurse, the only way to do this is with hand expression, or a pump. And, an electric breast pump is going to make this process much easier and productive.

Preemies benefit from breast milk more than ever - it’s packed with immune-boosting properties and helps with neurodevelopment. Even if breastfeeding feels impossible at first, pumping keeps the door open.

In fact, breast milk is lifesaving. This study suggests that US infant mortality could decrease by approximately 21% if all infants received the recommended six months of exclusive breast milk (not specific to preemies).

Additionally, infants who are exclusively breastfed for six months develop 20% more white matter (tissue in the brain and spinal cord) and show improved neurodevelopmental outcomes - especially crucial for NICU infants, who face a higher risk of brain injury. 

For NICU parents, a reliable breast pump isn’t just helpful - it’s essential. As Jess with The Ribbon Box recalled, “Having a better pump while we navigated the hospital setting would have made so much crucial difference.”

Having a breast pump that can tailor pump sessions to the specific needs of your body and baby can, as Jess notes, make all the difference. At Cimilre, personalizing your breastfeeding journey is our top priority. The Cimilre S6+ and S6 Adjustable breast pumps are designed to do just that.

Whether baby is here or you’re planning for post-birth, our team is here to help. From finding the right size breast shield to resources for getting started. We are here to support you throughout your breastfeeding journey.

Every drop of milk - and every small step - counts. Whether you’re exclusively pumping, combo feeding, or just starting out, know that you’re doing incredible work. Cimilre is here to support you during every part of the journey.

Remember to always consult your NICU care team or a certified lactation consultant to confirm what’s right for your baby.