Remote Lactation Support in the COVID-19 Era

Multivariate Analysis of Factors Associated with Feeding Mother's Own Milk at Discharge in Preterm Infants: A Retrospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

 This study aimed to develop a predictive model of feeding mother's own milk (MOM) at discharge using social determinants of health (SDOH), maternal and neonatal factors after deliveries at <33 weeks of gestational age (GA), or birth weight <1,500 g.

STUDY DESIGN

 Secondary analysis of a retrospective cohort in an inner-city hospital before (Epoch-1, 2018-2019) and after (Epoch-2, 2020-2021) implementing a donor human milk (DHM) program.

RESULTS

 Among 986 neonates, 495 were born in Epoch-1 (320 Hispanic White, 142 Non-Hispanic Black, and 33 Other) and 491 in Epoch-2 (327, 137, and 27, respectively). Feeding any MOM was less frequent in infants of non-Hispanic Black mothers than in those of Hispanic mothers (p < 0.05) but did not change with epoch (p = 0.46). Among infants who received any MOM, continued feeding MOM to the time of discharge was less frequent in infants of non-Hispanic Black mothers versus those of Hispanic mothers, 94/237 (40%) versus 339/595 (57%; p < 0.05), respectively. In multivariate analysis including SDOH and maternal variables, the odds of feeding MOM at discharge were lower with SDOH including neighborhoods with higher poverty levels, multiparity, substance use disorder, non-Hispanic Black versus Hispanic and young maternal age and increased with GA but did not change after implementing DHM. The predictive model including SDOH, maternal and early neonatal variables had good discrimination (area under the curve 0.85) and calibration and was internally validated. It showed the odds of feeding MOM at discharge were lower in infants of non-Hispanic Black mothers and with feeding DHM, higher need for respiratory support and later initiation of feeding MOM.

CONCLUSION

 Feeding MOM at discharge was associated with SDOH, and maternal and neonatal factors but did not change after implementing DHM. Disparity in feeding MOM at discharge was explained by less frequent initiation and shorter duration of feeding MOM but not by later initiation of feeding MOM.

KEY POINTS

· In this cohort study of preterm infants, factors of feeding MOM at discharge included (1) SDOH; (2) postnatal age at initiation of feeding MOM; and (3) maternal and neonatal factors.. · Feeding MOM at the time of discharge was less frequent in infants of non-Hispanic Black mothers versus those of Hispanic mothers.. · Disparity in feeding MOM at discharge was explained by less frequent initiation and shorter duration of MOM feeding but not by later postnatal age at initiation of feeding MOM..

Intimate Partner Violence and Breastfeeding Outcomes Among Canadian Women: An Exploratory Correlational Study

PURPOSE

Human breastmilk is the optimal nutrition for infants; however, preliminary research suggests that women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) are less likely to initiate and continue breastfeeding. Self-efficacy is a known facilitator to achieve positive breastfeeding outcomes. This study aimed to explore the relationship between experiencing IPV and breastfeeding duration, exclusivity, and self-efficacy for Canadian mothers, and to identify potential variables that influence breastfeeding decision-making among women with experiences of IPV.

METHOD

This was a cross-sectional secondary analysis of surveys completed by 129 mothers with children under the age of 2 years from Ontario, Canada. Data were stratified according to those who had experienced IPV and those who had not. Breastfeeding outcomes assessed included breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding duration and exclusivity. Non-parametric tests and correlations were used to determine if relationships existed between IPV and breastfeeding outcomes.

RESULTS

72.3% (n = 94) of women in this sample breastfed their child(ren). Experiencing IPV was associated with lower breastfeeding self-efficacy scores (W = 768, p = 0.055) with a moderate effect size (r = 0.32 [95% 0.06,0.55]). This relationship was significant in the context of psychological abuse (W = 816.5, p = 0.015) with a small effect size (r = 0.22 [95% 0.03,0.41]).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides novel preliminary evidence suggesting that experiencing IPV of any type can negatively impact breastfeeding self-efficacy, with psychological abuse potentially being the most detrimental. Future research is required to build upon these findings.

An Examination of the Benefits of Lactation Consultant Services in NICUs for Mothers and Their Newborn: A Systematic Review

Background: It is well accepted that lactation consultant (LC) services can enhance the breastfeeding success in mother-infant dyads. However, despite such advantages, not all neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) offer LC services. The objective of this systematic review was to assess the available evidence on the effect of LC service on breastfeeding outcomes for mothers whose infants are in the NICU. Methods: The PRISMA Extension for Systematic Reviews were used to conduct this systematic review. The following databases: Embase, Medline, CINAHL, and Cochrane library were searched. An initial 464 studies were obtained. Duplicates and studies that did not fit the inclusion criteria were removed, leaving 30 full-text articles to review. Nineteen were further excluded after full-text review. A total of 11 studies were included. Due to the heterogeneity of the included studies, a meta-analysis could not be performed, instead a qualitative numerical summary was conducted. Results: Overall, 10/11 (90%) of studies observed a 6-31% increase in the number of infants who received mother's own milk, and 11-27% in the number of infants who received direct breastfeeds associated with the implementation of LC services in the NICU. The two most common types of LC services studied included: i) multidisciplinary lactation support-described as a team-based approach that includes at least one LC and ii) designation of LC formal role in the NICU. Conclusions: This review highlights that having LC services in the NICU is vital for meeting the unique needs and enhancing breastfeeding outcomes for mothers whose infants are in the NICU.

Skilled lactation support using telemedicine in the neonatal intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

NICU mothers face unique challenges in initiating and sustaining breastfeeding, but previous studies have focused on outpatient breastfeeding support. We conducted a retrospective study of NICU breastfeeding outcomes before and after implementing telelactation.

METHODS

Pre-Telemedicine mothers received in-person support by NICU lactation consultants, while Telemedicine mothers received solely telemedicine consults after maternal discharge.

RESULTS

Exclusive breastmilk feeding at discharge increased in the Telemedicine group. Notably, babies in the Telemedicine cohort who were fed any formula on admission experienced significant improvement in exclusive breastmilk feeding at discharge, and those whose mothers received at least one NICU lactation consult had the greatest improvement in exclusive breastfeeding rates at discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to validate the use of telemedicine as a means of maintaining access to skilled lactation support in the NICU when in-person consults are not feasible. Incorporating telemedicine can ensure access and continuity of skilled lactation support, and sustain breastfeeding rates.

Breastfeeding during a Pandemic

BACKGROUND

The current pandemic and the concerns of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 have contributed to increasing the rate of breastfeeding interruption. This tendency has been associated with negative effects on the well-being of lactating mothers and their infants. The aim of this review is to summarize the evidence on the strategies to support breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic and on the safety of breastfeeding during a SARS-CoV-2 infection or after COVID-19 vaccination.

SUMMARY

Available data show that the lack of support of lactating mothers during the pandemic has contributed to breastfeeding cessation worldwide. However, a few strategies have been proposed to overcome this issue. The risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from infected mothers to their offspring is extremely low. Furthermore, vaccination of lactating mothers is not associated with side effects in their infants. Key Messages: Increasing effort should be made to support breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mothers who are able to take care of their offspring and to adopt basic hygiene measures should not interrupt breastfeeding during a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Vaccination of lactating mothers might further strengthen the protective effect of breastfeeding against infections.