Ann Busser, a lactation consultant in the neonatal intensive care unit at Northside Hospital in Atlanta, watches as Gayle McNair holds her daughter, Jessica, who was born 13 weeks premature. Jessica can’t suckle yet, but having McNair hold her daughter helps them bond and improves the breastfeeding experience.

As a lactation consultant working in the neonatal intensive care unit at Northside Hospital in Atlanta, Ann Busser's job is challenging.

"We see the mothers soon after delivery. They are frequently stressed and sometimes ill themselves, " said Busser, RN, IBCLC. "Having a baby in the special care nursery wasn't part of their birth plan."

Nor is learning that they need to start pumping milk from their breasts every three hours or so, if they want to breastfeed their baby once it has grown and developed enough to suckle.

"It is best to establish lactation soon after birth - vs. two months down the road when the baby goes home," Busser said.

Knowing that using a breast pump lacks the appeal of holding a warm, cuddly baby and that the task is difficult - especially if mom works, has other children and is already driving long distances to the hospital to visit her newborn - Busser serves as educator and cheerleader.

"These moms often feel like they have lost all control of their babies," she said. "They may not be able to touch them or change
a diaper, but we tell them that providing breast milk is the one thing that they can do for their baby that no one else can do, and it's the thing that will give them the best start."

Numerous studies have shown that breastfeeding makes significant positive contributions to the health of babies, including providing better nutrition, boosting intelligence and preventing infections.

Busser started as a natal intensive care unit nurse 15 years ago, and in that time more research has confirmed that breast milk is
the best thing for these babies.

Seeing more mothers pumping milk for their special-needs infants, Busser saw a new career niche.

"I was comfortable handling preemies, and I wanted to offer support and encouragement to new moms," she said.

"Once a mom is finally able to put her child to the breast, then she sees how all her hard work has paid off. It's wonderful to see a mom be successful, and you take great pride that you helped them along the way," Busser said.

Northside Hospital delivers more babies than any other community hospital in the nation (18,000 last year), but moms don't come because of the numbers.

"They come because of our high-tech/high-touch reputation. They know they are going to get expertise and individual attention," said Beth Allen, RNC, IBCLC, manager of MothersFirst, Lactation and A Woman's Place, a hospital boutique that provides products and services to breastfeeding mothers.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, since the positive benefits are cumulative. To support that goal, Northside's Lactation Center has a staff of 60 lactation consultants who provide services 24 hours per day, seven days a week. They lend assistance in the hospital, in outpatient consultations, classes, support groups and with an advice line.

Mother's Express is a support group for mothers of special-care babies. The Mom-Me connection is a support group for breastfeeding moms and babies up to 12 months of age.

"People often assume that breastfeeding is instinctual, " Allen said. "For some moms and newborns it's a smooth transition; for others it's more challenging, particularly if the baby is premature or has health problems. New moms need education, skills and emotional support."

It takes three to four weeks to establish a routine, and as the baby develops, patterns change and moms need an answer to those nagging little questions. Mothers going back to work need to know how to pump and store breast milk.

"New moms often lack confidence and are fearful that their child isn't getting enough to eat. For patient consults and premature infants, we have special scales that are sensitive enough to measure how much breast milk a baby received after a feeding," Allen said.

Like many certified lactation consultants, Allen's interest in breastfeeding began with her first child.

"My own breastfeeding experience empowered me," she said. "I love hearing mom's say, `I'm glad I didn't give up.' Seeing new moms glow with confidence and knowing that you were there at a pivotal point to get them started or move to the next phase is so rewarding."