Strategies to increase the use of mother’s own milk for infants at risk of necrotizing enterocolitis

High-dose mother’s own milk (MOM) feedings during the first 14 days post birth reduce the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birthweight (VLBW; <1500 g birthweight) infants. However, high-dose MOM feedings are only possible if mothers provide sufficient quantities of MOM in a timely manner, and data indicate that the lack of MOM during the early post-birth period is a global problem. This paper reviews the modifiable and unmodifiable barriers to accessing adequate quantities of MOM during the early post-birth period and proposes evidence-based strategies to increase and improve the use of MOM during the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization with an emphasis on the critical first 2 weeks post birth.