Case Study: Successfully Breastfeeding the Premature Infant Melissa Nash, MPH, RD Washington County Field Team
NICU info Bryan is an ex-31 wk premie No major complications in NICU Discharged at 36 wks CA Mom had great milk supply in the NICU: Pumped 6 oz q 3 hrs Discharge meds/vits: No meds & 0.5 MVI w/ iron Discharge feeding plan: EMM + EnfaCare to 22 kcal/oz
38 wks GA (RD Home Visit) Feeding history: Mom has been BF q feeding. Usually offers fortified bottle before BF Sometimes pumps after BF Good wt gain since discharge: ~1 oz/d Bone labs normal in NICU: Ca 10.6, Phos 6.4, Alk Phos 412 (all normal) Gives 0.5 ml MVI w/ iron
38 weeks GA (RD Home Visit) Nutrition Plan: Continue to BF q feeding Offer breast before bottle Always pump after BF (or every time baby eats) Continue to fortify all bottles to 22 kcal/oz Change to 1 ml MVI w/ iron Order bone labs (to be checked 4-6 wks post- discharge)
40 wks (MD appt) Bone labs drawn Alk Phos 498 (slightly high) Ca 9.2 No Phos drawn Nutrition Plan: Re-ck labs in 1 mo - at next MD appt Continue w/ same feeding plan
1 wk CA (Home visit by CHN) Weight check: Excellent wt gain: avg 1.8 oz/d x 3 wks Feeding history: BF ~10-15 min. q feeding 1-2 oz fort. bottle of EMM to 22 kcal/oz q feed. Pumping q feeding Nutrition plan: Night = EBF (no pumping/bottles) Day = BF + fort. bottles + pumping
Growth Grid
1 month CA (WIC appt) Weight check: Avg 1 oz/d x 3 wks Feeding history: EBF at night (no pumping/bottle) EBF 2-3x/day Offers breast + fort bottle 2-3x/day Nutrition Plan: Start EBF Continue w/ 1ml MVI w/ iron
1 ½ months CA (out-pt RD appt) Weight check: Avg 1 oz/day Feeding history: EBF Nutrition Plan (no changes): Continue EBF Continue 1 ml MVI w/ iron
2 mos CA (MD appt) Bone Labs: Alk Phos 669 (H), Phos 5.4, no Ca RD Home Visit Plan/Options (MOB chooses): 1. Offer 2 bottles/d of straight EnfaCare (mom to pump & freeze milk) 2. BF + fortified bottle + pumping q feeding 3. Continue to EBF + start Tribasic
2 months CA (RD Home Visit) Start Tribasic (Ca/Phos Suppl.) RD to provide specific instructions to MD: MD calls Rx into compounding pharmacy Dosage 1/8 tsp powder BID x 6 wks Re-check bone labs in 4-6 wks RD to provide specific instructions to family: Parents to buy Tribasic out-of-pocket, ~$25-30 Parents to buy 1/8 tsp measuring tool Measure powder & mix w/ ~5ml breastmilk Give via syringe or infant spoon
3 ½ months CA Bone Labs: Alk Phos 403, Phos 5.5, Ca 10.2, Hgb 12.2 (all normal) Nutrition plan (no changes): Continue EBF Continue w/ Tribasic 1/8 tsp BID Continue 1 ml MVI w/ iron
4 ½ months CA Bone labs: Alk Phos 372, Phos 6.0, Ca 10.6 (all normal) Nutrition Plan: Stop Tribasic Continue EBF Continue 1 ml MVI w/ iron Delay solids until 6 mos CA