If you are breastfeeding or expressing, please speak to the nurse caring for your child to organise free ‘Companion Meals’ to be provided by Food Services. These meals are ordered via the bedside screen. Advise your child’s nurse of any special dietary requirements you may have so these can be noted in the Food Service system.
Please speak to the nurse if you wish to arrange access to a free expressing kit and a breast pump for you to express your breastmilk whilst your baby is in PICU.
If you would like to be referred to a Lactation Consultant please ask a nurse or call (03) 9594 5200
Storage of expressed breastmilk (EBM):
- If expressing in the PICU, write the time and date of each expression on an ID label and attach to the syringe/storage bag/bottle containing the EBM.
- If the EBM is not being provided to your baby immediately, the nurse will store the EBM in a fridge.
- Transport any EBM from home in a cooler bag with an ice pack.
- When your baby is due to be fed, you will be asked to check the label details of your EBM with a staff member before it can be given to your baby. If you are not available to check the label, two nurses can instead complete this check.
For further information on expressing, please refer to the ABA Storing expressed breastmilk webpage
https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/storing-ebm
Expressing breast milk for sick premature babies (worldssl.net)