Nutrition & Breastfeeding Support

Also called “TPN”, this is nutrition in an IV bag that goes directly into a baby’s bloodstream providing calories, protein, carbohydrates (sugar), fat, vitamins and minerals when a baby is unable to tolerate enough feedings into their stomach or intestines.  You will often see babies receiving this when they are first admitted to our unit; however, many babies can require this nutrition for quite some time before they are able to digest enough milk.
 

Mother's Own Human Milk

We strongly recommend the use of mother’s own milk for almost all babies.  Mother’s milk is powerful medicine—providing essential nutrition for growth along with protective, infection-fighting benefits that protect babies from disease. Our team will help you to establish and maintain your milk supply while the baby is in the NICU.  This is our first choice of nutrition into baby’s stomach, unless there is a medical or other reason it cannot be provided.  Your baby may receive mother’s milk by breast directly, through a bottle or in a small tube down to the stomach if they are not ready to eat by mouth.  

Donor Human Milk

Donor milk in the NICU can be a vital bridge when mother's milk isn't available or if the mother’s supply does not meet 100% of the baby’s feeding volume, especially for fragile, preterm babies. This human milk comes from carefully screened donors and is pasteurized by accredited milk banks. It provides important nutrients and protective benefits that support growth and healing.  We offer all babies donor milk upon admission while mothers are working to establish their milk supply.  We continue its use for our most vulnerable babies when medically beneficial. 

Human Milk Fortifier

Mother’s own milk or donor milk meets the nutritional needs for most full-term babies.  Premature babies need additional nutrition to support healthy growth.  Human milk fortifier (HMF) is a sterile, hospital-only supplement mixed into mother’s milk or donor milk to provide extra protein, carbohydrates (sugar), fat, calories, vitamins, and minerals for body, brain and healthy bone development. HMF is most often necessary for babies born at less than 34 weeks gestation.  

Connecticut Children’s uses a HMF that contains casein hydrolysate protein from cow’s milk that is added to the human milk in small quantities. The HMF is mixed into the mother’s own milk or donor milk based on their calorie needs.  The HMF is usually 9-16% of the feeding volume your baby will receive.  The fortification of milk allows babies to grow faster, reduces the need for the IV nutrition that is given into a vein and helps to prevent malnutrition and brittle bones which can lead to a longer hospital stay.  As a baby grows stronger, is less fragile, and gets closer to their due date or discharge, the HMF will be transitioned to nutrition options that can be continued at home.   

Duocal

This product is for babies that continue to have growth difficulties even with the use of human milk and HMF.  It is a powder that contains carbohydrate (sugar) and fat and is used to add extra calories to mother’s own milk or donor milk.  This is not a complete supplement as it does not contain protein. 

Liquid Protein

This product is for babies who need extra protein to improve their growth after receiving human milk and HMF.  The concentrated protein is a sterile liquid containing casein hydrolysate protein from cow’s milk and is mixed into mother’s own milk or donor milk.  This is not a complete supplement as it does not contain fat or carbohydrates (sugar).

MCT (Medium Chain Triglyceride) Oil

This is a type of fat that can be added to a baby’s feeds to provide extra calories.  It is not a complete supplement as it does not contain protein or carbohydrate (sugar). 

Formula Powders and Ready to Feed (liquid) Formulas

As babies grow and approach their due date or discharge, some still need extra calories to support continued growth at home. At this stage, we often transition to feeding plans that families can prepare at home, while encouraging breastfeeding and bottle-feeding with breast milk whenever possible.

Breast milk may be fortified with formula powder to provide additional calories. If mother’s milk is no longer available, babies may transition fully to formula. A variety of formulas are available based on each baby’s needs. For premature babies, we most often use a cow’s milk protein-based formula specially designed to support growth and a smooth transition home. Our team will work closely with you to create the best feeding plan as you prepare to leave the NICU.

Final thoughts: Every baby’s nutrition journey is unique, and our team is here to guide, support, and partner with you every step of the way.