In most cases, mothers will be asked to express breast milk so that babies can be given through different ways such as tube feed. Depending on your baby's health and intake, you may need to express once every couple of hours during the day and 2 to 3 times at night if you are in the hospital. If you are staying far away from the hospital during your baby's NICU stay, the lactation consultant may advise you on the number of feeds required and how many times you would need to express.