Becoming a mom is a rollercoaster ride, but nothing prepared me for the ups and downs of breastfeeding with a baby who spent time in the NICU! If you're reading this because you're in a similar situation, I want you to know you're not alone. I’ve been there, and it’s hard, but it’s possible to get back to breastfeeding with patience, persistence, and the right tools! Here’s my story.

the challenges of breastfeeding a NICU baby

When I gave birth to my little boy, things didn’t go as planned. He was born early, and his blood sugar was low. He was too tired to even attempt breastfeeding, so he was taken to the NICU before we ever had a chance to try latching! It was heartbreaking because breastfeeding was something I had really wanted to do.

Seeing him in the NICU hooked up to IVs was tough. As a new mom, all I wanted was to hold him and breastfeed, but he wasn’t able to latch, and I had to rely on pumping. It took 10 days for my milk to come in, which felt like forever. I was exhausted and overwhelmed, trying to pump and get my supply up while dealing with the emotional strain of my baby being in the NICU! I had no idea how I’d get him back to breastfeeding, but I didn’t want to give up on that dream without trying.

finding the right bottle: discovering mōmi 

Before my son was born, I was the typical "new mom" who googled everything. I wanted to breastfeed, but I also wanted bottles to involve my husband in feeding, so I started researching the best bottles for breastfed babies. I grew up with seven younger siblings, so over the years I had seen my mom try just about every bottle out there - angled bottles, wide-neck bottles, anti-colic bottles. You name it, my mom had tried it! I remember the faces my little brothers and sisters would make when milk came out of the bottle too fast: their eyes would get huge and they’d sputter, panic, and spit up. I remember cleaning formula out of their cute little neck folds after each feed and feeling frustrated—I wanted something different for my baby.

In my research, I came across the mōmi bottle. I was intrigued because it seemed different from everything I had seen growing up! What sold me was a medical animation that showed how the mōmi nipple mimicked breastfeeding—the way a baby’s tongue moves to control the flow of milk, similar to how they would at the breast. Unlike other bottles that claimed to "work like the breast" but didn’t look or function any differently from traditional bottles, mōmi’s design made sense to me. I liked that it was created to help a baby feed on their own terms, and transition between breast and bottle without confusion.

So, I bought a three-pack of mōmi bottles before my son was even born. Little did I know about the feeding journey that was ahead of us!

using mōmi and transitioning back to breastfeeding

Once my son came home from the NICU, I started using the mōmi bottle because he still wasn’t able to breastfeed. At first, he was a little hesitant—probably because the mōmi nipple feels different than the hospital bottles he had been using. But after a couple of feedings, it clicked for him, and he started to eat from it like a pro! The design of the nipple, which stays firm in his mouth like a real breast, helped him practice his suck-swallow-breathe reflexes, much like breastfeeding would.

But even though he was doing well with the bottle, breastfeeding was still a struggle. Every time I tried to put him to the breast he would get frustrated, refuse to latch, and scream. I tried everything:  nipple shields, SNS (supplemental nursing system), and consults with lactation specialists, but nothing seemed to work. I was getting discouraged, and honestly, I wasn’t sure how much longer I could keep pumping while trying to teach him to breastfeed—I needed more sleep!

Then, about a month after he came home, my sister, who’s a labor and delivery nurse, came over. I had decided to give breastfeeding one last try before considering exclusively pumping or using formula. My sister sat with me, and to my shock, my little guy latched perfectly for the first time. I couldn’t believe it. After all the frustration, it finally worked. With a little time, plus practice on the mōmi bottle, it was like nursing suddenly made sense to him.

the ongoing breastfeeding journey

Starting that day, we fed off the breast more and more, though it wasn’t always smooth sailing. Some days he latched perfectly, and other days, it was a struggle. I joked that I had two babies: one with a perfect latch and one who just couldn’t figure it out! When his latch was off, it was painful, but when he got it right, it felt so rewarding. Those moments made all the hard times worth it!

We were able to breastfeed almost every feed, with my husband giving him one bottle feed a day for bonding time. We call it “tender time,” and it’s a special moment for them, too. My son seemed happy whether he was at the breast or using the mōmi bottle, and for me, that flexibility was a lifesaver.

why mōmi made a difference

Looking back, I truly believe the mōmi bottle made a huge difference in helping my baby transition back to breastfeeding. Unlike other bottles that just flood the baby with milk, the mōmi bottle worked with him—encouraging the same type of mouth movements he needed at the breast. And, because the silicone nipple doesn’t collapse if he takes a break, it made it easier for him to learn to control the flow of milk, just like he would while breastfeeding.

I’ve seen a lot of bottles in my life thanks to my big family, and I can confidently say that mōmi is unlike anything I’ve seen before. It really does mimic breastfeeding, and I’m so grateful for it. My sister, who works with breastfeeding moms all the time, was even impressed by the design when she saw it.

We transitioned to formula when I went back to work, but even if you’re not planning to breastfeed, these bottles are excellent. Baby being in control of the flow has kept any gas or reflux problems from developing—he burps after each feed, but I’ve never seen him have a “gas attack” that I’ve seen other babies have, and spit up has been minimal.

why I’m sharing my story

I know how overwhelming it can be to have a baby in the NICU and feel like breastfeeding is slipping out of reach. I remember desperately looking for answers online in the middle of the night, and feeling like I was the only one going through this. Maybe you’re in that place right now. If so, I want you to know there’s hope—Follow your instincts and don’t be afraid to ask for help!

Breastfeeding after the NICU isn’t a straight path, but with patience, support, and the right tools, it can happen. And even if it doesn’t go exactly the way you planned, know that fed is best, and you’re doing an amazing job. Hang in there, mamas—you can do this!