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Broom M, Youseman ME, Kent AL. Impact of introducing a lactation consultant into a neonatal unit. J Paediatr Child Health 2022; 58:636-640. [PMID: 34713946 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.15799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIM Benefits of mothers' own milk (MOM) for premature and sick neonates are well documented. To increase access, many neonatal units have a lactation consultant (LC) on staff. This study aimed to assess the impact of a permanent LC on (i) maternal access to LC support; (ii) staff confidence in providing Breast Feeding (BF) education and (iii) provision of MOM. METHODS Study included a staff survey and chart audit. Questions provided feedback on access to lactation support and meeting maternal needs. Audit data included: gestational age, birthweight, intention to breastfeed, documentation of LC appointment, provision of MOM at 12 hours, days 3, 7, 28 and discharge. Student's t-tests were used for numerical data and chi-squared tests for categorical variables. RESULTS Ninety-one staff surveys were returned, (pre 35/75 (47%), post 56/85 (66%) with staff reporting organising an LC appointment was significantly easier (P < 0.0001). Staff perceived maternal lactation needs and confidence to breastfeed post-discharge had significantly improved post-LC. The chart audit showed a significant increase in maternal access to LC appointments (15% vs. 80%; P < 0.01), breast pump education by day 3 (65% vs. 81%; P < 0.01), and an increase in MOM provision by 12 h (46% vs. 61%; P < 0.01) post-LC but not at days 7, 28 or discharge. CONCLUSION A dedicated LC increases staff and maternal access to lactation education and support, improving provision of early MOM. Further research is required to assess the effect of LCs in improving breastfeeding rates in neonatal units.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Broom
- Centenary Hospital for Women and Children, Canberra Hospital, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.,SYNERGY: Nursing and Midwifery Research Centre, University of Canberra and ACT Health, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Mary-Ellen Youseman
- Centenary Hospital for Women and Children, Canberra Hospital, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Alison L Kent
- University of Rochester, Dept of Pediatrics, Golisano Children's Hospital, Rochester, New York, United States.,Australian National University, College of Health and Medicine, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Mother's milk improves outcomes. Referral neonatal intensive care units face unique lactation challenges with maternal-infant separation and maternal pump dependency. Little is known about lactation resource allocation in this high-risk population. RESEARCH AIMS To determine differences in human milk outcomes, (1) the proportion of infants fed exclusive or any mother's milk and (2) recorded number and volume of pumped mothers' milk bottles, between two models of lactation care in a referral neonatal intensive care unit. METHODS This retrospective, longitudinal, two-group comparison study utilized medical record individual feeding data for infants admitted at ≤ Day 7 of age and milk room storage records from reactive and proactive care model time periods (April, 2017-March, 2018; May, 2018-April, 2019). The reactive care model (n = 509 infants, 58% male, median birth weight and gestational age of 37 weeks,) involved International Board Certified Lactation Consultant referral for identified lactation problems; whereas, the proactive model (n = 472 infants, 56% male, median birth weight and gestational age 37 weeks) increased International Board Certified Lactation Consultant staffing, who then saw all admissions. Comparisons were performed using chi square, Mann Whitney, and t-tests. RESULTS A proactive lactation approach was associated with an increase in the receipt of any mother's milk from 74.3% to 80.2% (p = .03) among participants in the proactive model group. Additionally, their milk room mean monthly bottle storage increased from 5153 (SD 788) to 6620 (SD 1314) bottles (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS In this retrospective study at a tertiary referral neonatal intensive care unit, significant improvement inhuman milk outcomes suggests that increased resources for proactive lactation care may improve mother's milk provision for a high-risk population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Hoban
- 7979 Department of Paediatrics, Division of Neonatology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Laura McLean
- Department of Clinical Dietetics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Samantha Sullivan
- Department of Clinical Dietetics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
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Peltzer NK, Olson K, Williams S, Hansen-Smith H, Elia J, McGurk MD. Exploring Challenges and Opportunities for Breastfeeding in Hawai'i During the COVID-19 Pandemic. HAWAI'I JOURNAL OF HEALTH & SOCIAL WELFARE 2021; 80:25-29. [PMID: 34704065 PMCID: PMC8538114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates is an established public health strategy to reduce chronic disease and protect infants from illness. The role of breastfeeding in addressing health disparities takes on new significance as the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted some communities in Hawai'i, and those with chronic conditions face increased risk of hospitalization and death. However, there are myriad policy, systemic, and environmental barriers that make it difficult for parents to breastfeed, some of which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This editorial discusses the importance of breastfeeding in reducing chronic disease, reviews the status of breastfeeding in Hawai'i, explores the challenges parents face in breastfeeding their infants, especially in the time of COVID-19, and presents opportunities for improved access to lactation care to reduce health disparities.
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Von Kohorn I, Flaherman V. Human Milk for the Term Newborn. Clin Perinatol 2021; 48:513-531. [PMID: 34353578 DOI: 10.1016/j.clp.2021.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Human milk provides optimal nutrition for term newborns, but the prevalence of its use is below target, and risks have been identified. Infants of black mothers as well as term newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit are at risk for not receiving human milk. To improve human milk intake, multiple individual-level interventions have been shown to be effective, but some popular system-level interventions are ineffective or harmful. Expressed milk and donor milk may be less beneficial than direct breastfeeding. Nuanced public policies can help support lactation while promoting individual choice and equity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Von Kohorn
- Department of Pediatrics, Holy Cross Health, 1500 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Valerie Flaherman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California Street, Box 0503, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Obaid M, Igawa T, Maxwell A, Murray YL, Rahman A, Aboudi D, Olivo K, Roeder T, Valdes-Greene R, Brumberg H, Alpan G, Parvez B. "Liquid Gold" Lactation Bundle and Breastfeeding Rates in Racially Diverse Mothers of Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Infants. Breastfeed Med 2021; 16:463-470. [PMID: 34042464 DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2020.0322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Background: In 2015, we implemented a comprehensive lactation bundle named Liquid Gold. Lactation bundles in the neonatal intensive care unit have not been well studied. Materials and Methods: This is an ongoing quality improvement breastfeeding project of racially diverse mothers and infants of extremely low birth weight (≤1,000 g). Four epochs were assessed; baseline (B; January 2012-July 2013), transition (T; human milk [HM]-derived fortifier; August 2013-December 2014), Liquid Gold (LG; full bundle, including staff education, colostrum oral care, kangaroo care, antenatal and postpartum counseling, provision of pasteurized donor HM, and breast pumps; January 2015-February 2016), and current (C; ongoing impact, Spanish-speaking lactation consultant, and HM cream; March 2016-April 2019). Results: Four hundred twenty-three mother-infant dyads were assessed. The rate of exclusive mother's own milk at discharge increased significantly in LG compared with previous epochs and was sustained over time. During LG, African American (AA) mothers had a significant surge of breastfeeding initiation (30% in B and 41% in T versus 78% in LG), but this was not sustained in C. AA mothers also experienced a significant decline in the use of exclusive formula feeding in the C epoch (68% in LG versus 46% in C). Hispanic and White mothers sustained their breastfeeding rates over time. Conclusions: Our Liquid Gold lactation bundle led to a significant increase in the provision of HM in the NICU and at discharge in the most vulnerable infants. AA mothers experienced the highest surge in breastfeeding initiation and greatest reduction in formula use. Breastfeeding goals and support need to be tailored to each mother with specific consideration for racial/ethnic background for optimal success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Obaid
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Westchester Medical Center, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Teryn Igawa
- New York Medical College School of Medicine, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Abigael Maxwell
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Westchester Medical Center, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Yuanyi L Murray
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Westchester Medical Center, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Valhalla, New York, USA.,Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Amanda Rahman
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Westchester Medical Center, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Valhalla, New York, USA.,Department of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, New York, USA
| | - David Aboudi
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Westchester Medical Center, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Valhalla, New York, USA.,NYC DOHMH New York, New York, USA
| | - Karina Olivo
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Westchester Medical Center, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Tina Roeder
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Westchester Medical Center, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Rhonda Valdes-Greene
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Westchester Medical Center, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Heather Brumberg
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Westchester Medical Center, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Gad Alpan
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Westchester Medical Center, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Boriana Parvez
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Westchester Medical Center, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Valhalla, New York, USA
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Abstract
Mother's own milk (MOM) feeding is a cost-effective strategy to reduce risks of comorbidities associated with prematurity and improve long-term health of infants hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Significant racial and socioeconomic disparities exist in MOM provision in the NICU, highlighting the importance of developing strategies to reduce these disparities. Mothers of infants in the NICU experience many health concerns which may negatively impact lactation physiology. Objective measures of lactation physiology are limited but may assist in identifying mothers at particular risk. Several strategies to assist mothers of hospitalized infants are essential, including maternal education, qualified lactation professionals, early and frequent milk expression with a hospital-grade double electric breast pump, and providing support for transitioning to direct breastfeeding prior to discharge from the NICU.
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