Rethinking Early Breast Pump Use for NICU Mothers: Lessons from the Healthy Breastfeeding Infant

Speaker: Paula Meier

Date: May 19^th, 2026 at 2pm EST

Abstract

It is well-established that the healthy breastfeeding infant adapts sucking patterns (e.g., rate, rhythm and suction pressures) based upon the rate of mothers’ own milk (MOM) flow. In turn, infant changes in suck patterning provide human-specific stimulation to the mammary gland. This extraordinary interaction is dynamic—changing over the course of a feeding, and in relation to lactation stage. Very small amounts of MOM are available to the breastfeeding infant in the early days postpartum, resulting in irregular sucking rates and rhythms and strong suction pressures. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest this short-lived sucking pattern—used because of minimal MOM availability--exerts a type of mammary gland programming that optimizes long-term MOM synthesis and secretion. These decades-old data inform the need to rethink the role of early breast pump use from a singular focus on MOM removal to prioritizing mammary gland stimulation. Initiation technology™ in the Symphony breast pump was created and tested to mimic the healthy breastfeeding infant prior to the achievement of secretory activation (SA), when small amounts of MOM are available. This presentation highlights features of the uniquely human sucking pattern used by healthy infants when breastfeeding in the early postpartum days. Also featured are studies demonstrating the effectiveness and efficiency of Initiation technology™ as well as evidence-based best practices to implement this technology into practice.

Learning Objectives

1. Differentiate between sucking patterns used by the healthy breastfeeding infant during the initiation of lactation versus the maintenance of established lactation.

2. Review evidence for use of Initiation technology™ in breast pump-dependent mothers of preterm and term infants.

3. Detail clinical strategies for implementation of Initiation technology™, including a) explaining its function and features to mothers; 2) guidelines for switching from Initiation to two-phase maintenance technology; and 3) common examples of clinical barriers and misuse that compromise implementation.

This program has been approved for 1.0 Contact Hours; provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #13692

Registration Link:https://app.livestorm.co/p/d4ba405a-25f7-4a81-8e9a-80a85f38f0d2