Early Bloomers: A Nursing-Driven Program to Support Human Milk Feeding Among Late Preterm Infants in the Mother-Baby Unit.

The article focuses on the development and implementation of the Early Bloomer Program, an interdisciplinary, hospital-based breastfeeding support initiative for late preterm infants (LPIs, born at 34.0–36.6 weeks gestation) cared for in a non-intensive postpartum setting. Designed using Diffusion of Innovation Theory, the program includes standardized order sets, immediate lactation consultation, donor milk availability, parent education, hand expression teaching, and daily interdisciplinary feeding team huddles. Nursing staff reported increased confidence and attentiveness in caring for LPIs and valued the program’s structured approach, though they identified gaps such as lack of overnight lactation support and limited involvement of labor and delivery staff. The article highlights the need for further well-designed clinical studies to establish effective breastfeeding support practices for LPIs.