Jan 15, 2026 Practice Notes
Evolve Lactation Pros
Breaking Down Breastfeeding Support for Late Preterm Babies
I like to call them “Early Birds!”
Early Birds are hands-down one of the most-requested topics for lactation education because they are hands-down one of the most challenging populations to work with.
I also believe they are the population in which we, as lactation care providers, have the highest potential to make an impact.
Early and appropriate lactation care for the late preterm dyad is critical because the entire situation is precarious. It’s a bit fragile right from the start, and the earlier we can intervene with the information mothers and families actually need, the better chance we have to support them to thrive.
When babies are born early but have no serious medical complications, they are often sent home with their parents with standard breastfeeding teaching. It’s not enough. It does not fit the situation. It does not support what these babies need.
I’ve created a 2-page resource that offers one page of information parents need to hear when their baby is born between 34 and 37 weeks* as well as a page that is really a checklist for you to remember how very many strategies we have to support feeding at the breast, robust milk production, and the neurodevelopmental needs of the baby who was born early.
(* Also, since estimated due dates are, well, estimated, it is possible that babies born between 37 and 39 weeks might need this type of support as well.)
Early Birds represent a very special situation in lactation, not just a group of “smaller” newborns. They deserve breastfeeding care that is tailored to them.
That’s what it means to Evolve Lactation. Let’s move this whole train forward by getting really specific where we need to and by improving how we communicate what we know.
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