Correlates of lactation in mothers of very low birth weight infants

Does extremely early expression of colostrum after very preterm birth improve mother's own milk quantity? A cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Assess the relationship of time to first expression after very preterm birth and mothers' own milk quantity.

DESIGN

A cohort study (nested within a randomised trial).

SETTING

Four neonatal units in the UK.

PATIENTS

132 mothers of single or twin infants born at 23+0 to 31+6 weeks postmenstrual age.

EXPOSURES

Time to the first attempt to express after birth.

PRIMARY OUTCOMES

24-hour mother's own milk yield on days 4, 14 and 21 after birth.

RESULTS

Median time to first expression attempt was 6 hours. 51.7% expressed within 6 hours of birth (62/120) and 48.3% expressed more than 6 hours after birth (58/120). Expressing within 6 hours of birth was associated with higher milk yield on day 4 (88.3 g, 95% CI 7.1 to 169.4) and day 14 (155.7 g, 95% CI 12.2 to 299.3) but not on day 21 (73.6 g, 95% CI -91.4 to 238.7). There was an interaction between expressing frequency and time to first expression (p<0.005), with increased expressing frequency being associated with higher yield only in those who expressed within 6 hours. Expressing within 2 hours of birth was not associated with further milk yield increase.

CONCLUSIONS

Mothers who expressed within 6 hours of birth had higher milk yield, and a greater yield per expressing session, in the first 3 weeks after birth. This information will be highly motivating for families and the clinicians supporting them. There was no evidence of further benefit of extremely early expression (first 2 hours after birth).

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN 16356650.

Having Enough Milk to Sustain a Lactation Journey: A Call to Action

The rates of human milk feeding are suboptimal worldwide. Recommendations for healthy, term mother-infant dyads include early breastfeeding initiation, frequent skin-to-skin contact, and frequent breastfeeding. The normal physiology of lactation can be affected by prenatal factors such as diabetes, obesity, and excessive gestational weight gain. Furthermore, birth-related factors such as early-term gestation, stressful labor, unscheduled cesarean birth, and postpartum hemorrhage can additionally disrupt recommended practices such as early initiation of breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact. Given that the first 2 to 3 days postpartum are critical to achieving timely secretory activation and establishing an adequate volume of milk, a proactive approach to care can include building awareness of risk factors and development of protocols for the effective early initiation of lactation.

The relationship of milk expression pattern and lactation outcomes after very premature birth: A cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Mothers of very premature infants often have difficulties expressing breastmilk, which can cause distress and potential negative impact on infant health. Clinical recommendations on breastmilk expression are extrapolated from term infants' breastfeeding patterns. This study's objective was to analyse the association of expressing pattern with lactation outcomes after very premature birth.

METHODS

132 participants were recruited after birth between 23+0 and 31+6 weeks' gestation. Participants recorded the milk expressed in several 24-hour periods in the three weeks after birth.

RESULTS

Expressing frequency was positively associated with 24-hour milk yield, with an adjusted 30.5g increase per expressing session on day four (95% CI 15.7 to 45.3) and 94.4g on day 21 (95% CI 62.7 to 126.2). Expressing ≥8 times per day was associated with higher adjusted milk yield than expressing <6 times (on day four, 146.8g, 95% CI 47.4 to 246.1), but not in comparison to expressing 6-7 times (on day four, 82.1g, 95% CI -25.9 to 190.1). Participants with six months or more prior breastmilk feeding experience had a higher adjusted milk yield than others (on day four, 204.3g, 95% CI 125.2 to 283.3). Night-time (2300-0700 hours) expressing sessions were not associated with increased milk yield after adjustment for time since the prior session. On average, participants who had a longest gap between expressions of less than six hours achieved the UK target of 750g breastmilk, whereas those with a longer gap did not.

CONCLUSION

Expressing frequency was an important determinant of milk yield. Clinical recommendations to express ≥8 times per day were supported but for some, 6-7 times was sufficient. This was particularly likely for those with six months or more of prior breastmilk feeding experience. A need to express during the night-time hours appeared to be related to minimising the gap between expressions rather than an inherent value of night-time expression.

Predictors of Breastfeeding among Patients Admitted with Preterm Prelabor Rupture of Membranes

OBJECTIVE

 We sought to describe rates of breastmilk feeding (BF) at hospital discharge and 6 weeks postpartum and to identify risk factors for noninitiation or cessation among pregnancies complicated by preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM).

STUDY DESIGN

 Retrospective cohort study of pregnant persons with PPROM admitted to a single tertiary center (2013-2019). Patients with deliveries complicated by intrauterine or neonatal demise or with incomplete BF data were excluded. Demographic, antepartum, and delivery characteristics were evaluated. Primary analysis identified rate of BF initiation at maternal discharge and factors associated with noninitiation. Secondary analysis evaluated BF continuation and factors associated with cessation at 6 weeks postpartum. Bivariate statistics were used to compare characteristics and logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR).

RESULTS

 Of 397 patients with PPROM, 342(86%) initiated BF prior to discharge. Those reporting tobacco use in pregnancy were less likely to initiate BF (aOR: 0.32; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.16, 0.64). In contrast, private insurance (aOR: 2.53; 95% CI: 1.19, 5.37) and pregnancy latency ≥ 14 days (aOR: 3.02; 95% CI: 1.09, 8.38) were associated with BF initiation at hospital discharge. Of the 293 patients with postpartum follow-up, only 214 (73%) had BF continuation at 6 weeks postpartum. Maternal age <20 years (aOR: 0.07; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.68) and multiparity (aOR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.29, 0.99) were associated with BF cessation. Patients with private insurance were observed to have increased odds of BF continuation (aOR: 2.10; 95% CI: 1.07, 4.12).

CONCLUSION

 Among patients with PPROM, tobacco use may be associated with noninitiation of BF prior to discharge, whereas age < 20 years and multiparity were associated with cessation by 6 weeks postpartum. Longer pregnancy latency ≥ 14 days was associated with BF initiation prior to discharge. Private insurance was associated with increased rates of BF initiation and continuation postpartum. BF education and support should be offered to all patients admitted for PPROM.

KEY POINTS

· Tobacco use may be associated with BF noninitiation.. · Young age and multiparity are linked with BF cessation.. · Private insurance resulted in BF initiation and continuation..

Where does the time go? Temporal patterns of pumping behaviors in mothers of very preterm infants vary by sociodemographic and clinical factors

Background

Mothers of very preterm (<32 weeks gestational age [GA]) infants are breast pump dependent and have shorter duration of milk provision than mothers of term infants. The opportunity (i.e., time) cost of pumping and transporting mother's own milk (MOM) from home to the NICU may be a barrier. There is a paucity of data regarding how much time mothers actually spend pumping.

Objective

To investigate the variation in pumping behavior by postpartum week, maternal characteristics, and infant GA.

Methods

Prospectively collected pump log data from mothers enrolled in ReDiMOM (Reducing Disparity in Mother's Own Milk) randomized, controlled trial included pumping date and start time and end time of each pumping session for the first 10 weeks postpartum or until the infant was discharged from the NICU, whichever occurred first. Outcomes included number of daily pumping sessions, number of minutes spent pumping per day, and pumping behaviors during 24-h periods, aggregated to the postpartum week. Medians (interquartile ranges) were used to describe outcomes overall, and by maternal characteristics and infant GA.

Results

Data included 13,994 pump sessions from 75 mothers. Maternal characteristics included 55% Black, 35% Hispanic, and 11% White and 44% <30 years old. The majority (56%) of infants were born at GA 28-31 weeks. Mothers pumped an average of less than 4 times per day, peaking in postpartum week 2. After accounting for mothers who stopped pumping, there was a gradual decrease in daily pumping minutes between postpartum weeks 2 (89 min) and 10 (46 min). Black mothers pumped fewer times daily than non-Black mothers after the first 2 weeks postpartum.

Conclusion

On average mothers pumped less intensively than the minimum recommendation of 8 times and 100 min per day. However, these pumping behaviors represent significant maternal opportunity costs that should be valued by the institution and society at large.

Lactation Support as a Proxy Measure of Family-Centered Care Quality in Neonates with Life-Limiting Conditions-A Comparative Study

BACKGROUND

Lactation support is an important measure of Family-Centered Care (FCC) in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Life-limiting conditions (LLCs) raise complex ethical care issues for providers and parents in the NICU and represent a key and often overlooked population for whom FCC is particularly important. We investigated healthcare disparities in FCC lactation support quality in infants with LLCs.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort of inborn infants with or without LLCs admitted to the NICU between 2015-2023 included 395 infants with 219 LLC infants and 176 matched non-LLC infants and were compared on LLC supports.

RESULTS

The LLC cohort experienced greater skin-to-skin support, but less lactation specialist visits, breast pumps provided, and human milk oral care use. LLC infants also experienced less maternal visitation, use of donor milk (LLC: 15.5%, non-LLC: 33.5%), and breastfeeds (LLC: 24.2%, non-LLC: 43.2%), with lower mean human milk provision (LLC: 36.6%, non-LLC: 67.1%). LLC infants who survived to discharge had similar human milk use as non-LLC infants (LLC: 49.8%, non-LLC: 50.6%).

CONCLUSION

Lactation support was significantly absent for families and infants who presented with LLCs in the NICU, suggesting that policies can be altered to increase lactation support FCC quality for this population.

Nutrition Management of High-Risk Neonates After Discharge

Nutrition management of the high-risk infant after hospital discharge is complicated by the infant's dysfunctional or immature oral feeding skills, nutritional deficits, and the family's feeding plan. Although evidence is limited, available studies point to developing an individualized nutritional plan, which accounts for these factors; protects and prioritizes the family's plan for breastfeeding; and promotes an acceptable growth pattern. Further research is needed to identify the type and duration of posthospital discharge nutrition to optimize high-risk infant neurodevelopment and body composition. Attention to infant growth, lactation support, and safe feed preparation practices are critical in the transition to home.

Breast Milk Production Variability Among Mothers of Preterm Infants

Introduction: Mothers of preterm infants are at risk for inadequate milk production. Pumping logs are often used to both encourage lactation in the first week and track its efficacy. Our objectives were to determine whether mothers of preterm infants who keep pumping logs are demographically different from those who do not and to determine whether this practice affects the amount of mother's own milk (MOM) fed to their infants. We also aimed at determining whether there is a correlation between: (1) time to first breast milk expression, (2) cumulative frequency of expression in the first week, and (3) milk volume on day 7 with subsequent milk volumes and percent of infant diet consisting of MOM. Methods: Mothers of infants born ≤32 weeks and ≤1,500 g were enrolled within 48 hours of birth and encouraged to keep a pumping log. Data were collected on maternal characteristics, patterns of milk expression, and milk volumes on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 after delivery. Infant data were collected via chart review. Results: Mothers who kept pumping logs provided their own milk for a greater percentage of their infant's feeds at the time of achieving full feeds (p = 0.017). The total number of expressions in the first week was correlated with milk volume on day 21 (p = 0.016) and the provision of a higher percentage of MOM feeds at discharge (p = 0.03). Milk volume on day 7 correlated with volumes obtained at days 14, 21, and 28 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Pumping logs may affect the availability of MOM for preterm infants. Frequency of pumping in the first week and milk volume on day 7 may impact long-term lactation success for these women.

Early pumping frequency and coming to volume for mother's own milk feeding in hospitalized infants

OBJECTIVE

To identify daily pumping frequencies associated with coming to volume (CTV: producing > 500 milliliters of milk per day by postnatal day 14) for mothers of infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

STUDY DESIGN

We compared demographics and daily pumping frequencies for mothers who did and did not experience CTV.

RESULTS

Of 427 mothers who produced milk, 201 (50.1%) experienced CTV. Race, insurance, delivery type and birthweight were associated with CTV. For mothers who experienced CTV, average pumping episodes increased daily, stabilizing at 5 pumping episodes per day by postnatal day 5 (5 × 5). Women who experienced CTV were also more likely to have pumped between 0100 and 0500 (AM pumping). In multivariable analysis birthweight, 5 × 5 and AM pumping were each independently associated with CTV.

CONCLUSION

Supporting mothers of NICU infants to achieve 5 or more daily pumping sessions by postnatal day 5 could improve likelihood of achieving CTV.

Infant factors that impact the ecology of human milk secretion and composition-a report from "Breastmilk Ecology: Genesis of Infant Nutrition (BEGIN)" Working Group 3

Infants drive many lactation processes and contribute to the changing composition of human milk through multiple mechanisms. This review addresses the major topics of milk removal; chemosensory ecology for the parent-infant dyad; the infant's inputs into the composition of the human milk microbiome; and the impact of disruptions in gestation on the ecology of fetal and infant phenotypes, milk composition, and lactation. Milk removal, which is essential for adequate infant intake and continued milk synthesis through multiple hormonal and autocrine/paracrine mechanisms, should be effective, efficient, and comfortable for both the lactating parent and the infant. All 3 components should be included in the evaluation of milk removal. Breastmilk "bridges" flavor experiences in utero with postweaning foods, and the flavors become familiar and preferred. Infants can detect flavor changes in human milk resulting from parental lifestyle choices, including recreational drug use, and early experiences with the sensory properties of these recreational drugs impact subsequent behavioral responses. Interactions between the infant's own developing microbiome, that of the milk, and the multiple environmental factors that are drivers-both modifiable and nonmodifiable-in the microbial ecology of human milk are explored. Disruptions in gestation, especially preterm birth and fetal growth restriction or excess, impact the milk composition and lactation processes such as the timing of secretory activation, adequacy of milk volume and milk removal, and duration of lactation. Research gaps are identified in each of these areas. To assure a sustained and robust breastfeeding ecology, these myriad infant inputs must be systematically considered.

Trend over 25 years of risk factors of mother's own milk provision to very low birth weight infants at discharge

BACKGROUND

Feeding mother's own milk (MOM) is associated with reduced morbidity of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (<1500 g), but not all mothers are able to provide pumped breast milk or breastfeed until discharge.

AIMS

To investigate the duration of MOM feeding and identify risk factors for cessation.

STUDY DESIGN

Single-center retrospective cohort study.

SUBJECTS

307 VLBW infants born 2012 and 2019 surviving beyond 7 days of life.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Analysis of MOM feeding at discharge, including comparison with a historical cohort of infants born 1992-1994.

RESULTS

MOM feeding was initiated in 178/180 infants (98.9 %) born in 2012 and in 123/127 infants (96.9 %) born in 2019 (p = 0.132), as compared to 73/89 (82 %) infants born 1992-1994 (p < 0.001). Median [range] duration of MOM feeding was similar for infants born in 2012 (45 [0-170] days) and 2019 (50 [0-190] days) (p = 0.396), but much longer than in the historical cohort (36 [0-152] days) (p < 0.001). The overall breastfeeding rate increased up to 69.2 % and 77.2 %. Factors associated with cessation of MOM feeding were smoking during pregnancy, single-mother status, short (<12 years) duration of maternal or paternal school education (all p ≤ 0.001), natural conception, birth weight ≥ 1000 g, and gestational age ≥ 29 weeks (p < 0.05). In Cox proportional hazard multivariate analysis, smoking during pregnancy and single-mother status remained independent risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Duration of MOM feeding and breastfeeding rates of VLBW infants during hospital stay have increased significantly during the last 30 years, while smoking and indicators of low socioeconomic status remain dominant predictors of cessation of MOM feeding.

Midwives experiences of interventions to improve breast expression following preterm birth: A qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

Preterm birth impacts approximately 10% of women globally. Midwives are often the first point of care after the birth of a preterm infant providing mothers with information and support for breast expression. However, despite guidelines that suggest expression within the first hour of birth, most first expressions occur much later. This study aimed to seek an understanding of midwives' experiences with the first expression for mothers of preterm infants, including the barriers and facilitators that midwives may face.

DESIGN

A qualitative design using semi-structured interviews via focus groups. Thematic analysis was used to identify relevant themes and sub-themes.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants included midwives providing care to women in preterm labour and birth at a tertiary maternity hospital in Australia (N=12). All participating midwives cared for mothers of preterm infants between 28 and 35 weeks' gestation up to six hours following birth.

FINDINGS

Two major themes resulted from the data, including the changing expectations of infant feeding and the responsibility versus expectation to support a woman to express in the first hour of birth with other competing clinical and organisational tasks.

KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Whilst individual philosophies on the benefits of human milk were positive, expressing in the birth suite was dictated by essential clinical tasks and by the institutions value placed on expressing in the first hour. Clear objectives to undertake expressing within the first hour or within the birth suite stay, need to be included in policy and supported by management and team leaders, to increase early expressing rates.

Breastfeeding rates at discharge for very low birthweight neonates and their determinants: An observational study from a tertiary care neonatal intensive care unit in India

BACKGROUND

Mother's milk is the best milk for neonates. Preterm very low birthweight (VLBW) neonates face many challenges leading to low rates of breastfeeding at discharge.

AIMS

(i) To determine the proportion of <32 weeks preterm VLBW neonates who are exclusively breastfed (EB) at discharge and (ii) determinants of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) at discharge.

METHODS

An observational study was conducted for a duration of 1 year, from May 2019 to April 2020 in a tertiary care neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in North India. Consecutive <32 weeks preterm VLBW neonates admitted within 72 h of birth and on full enteral feeds (FEF) within 10 days of birth were included in this study and followed up till discharge.

RESULTS

Forty-four of 97 (45.4%) preterm VLBW neonates were exclusively breastfed and 31/97 (32%) received more than 80% mother's own milk (MOM) at discharge. Male sex (P = 0.03), those whose first feed had any amount of MOM (P = 0.038) or exclusive MOM in their first feed or when initiated on first FEF (P = 0.002), and neonates with longer duration of hospital stay (P = 0.035) had an increased chance of being exclusively breastfed at discharge.

CONCLUSION

Preterm VLBW neonates who receive any amount of MOM in their first feed or first FEF, male infants and those who stay longer in hospital are more likely to be exclusively breastfed at discharge.

Manual Method vs Breast Pump for Breast Milk Expression in Mothers of Preterm Babies During First Postnatal Week: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives

To compare breast milk volume between manual method and breast pump expression in mothers of preterm infants at different time point of first week.

Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Postpartum ward of Obstetrics department and tertiary level neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in a single institution in Orissa between October, 2020 and May, 2021.

Participants

Mothers who delivered before 34 completed weeks of gestation.

Interventions

Manual breastmilk expression (ME) group using Marmet technique and breast pump milk expression (PE) group using pigeon manual breast pump, initiated milk expression within one hour of delivery.

Outcome measures

Expressed breast milk (EBM) volume in mothers of preterm infants at different time point of first week, and cumulative milk volume.

Results

Out of 170 mothers (83 PE and 87 ME group), 7-days milk volume data was available for 137 (71 ME and 66 PE) mothers. In per protocol analysis for 126 mothers (63 in each group), the median (IQR) EBM volume on day 2 and day 7 of ME and PE groups were similar [10 (5,20) vs 12 (5,28), P=0.10] and [280 (220–356) vs 280 (220–360), P=0.66]. The median (IQR) cumulative EBM volume over first 7 days in ME group was not significantly different from PE group [733 (593–995) vs 848.5 (571–1009)] P=0.55). A similar number of mothers in the PE and ME group [56 (88.9%) vs 58 (92%); P=0.14] provided exclusive breast milk for their neonates during the first week. Similar results were found on intention to treat analysis.

Conclusion

EBM volume expressed was comparable between mothers expressing manually or with breast pump.

Milk Volume Outcomes in Pump-Dependent Mothers of Critically Ill Infants

INTRODUCTION

Mother's own milk improves health outcomes in infants of all gestational ages. Although pump-dependent mothers of extremely premature infants are at risk of insufficient milk production, whether mother's milk production is impacted by gestational age and pump dependency in mothers of more mature critically ill infants is unknown.

PURPOSE

To determine whether there is a relationship between gestational age, milk production, and time to secretory activation in mothers delivering a critically ill infant.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 136 pump-dependent mothers whose infants were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit was enrolled between 2013 and 2016 as part of a quality improvement project. Group 1 (early preterm) delivered infants at 30 to 33 weeks of gestation (n = 41), group 2 (late preterm) 34 to 36 weeks (n = 48), and group 3 (term) 37 weeks and more (n = 47). Milk volume on days 1 to 7 was measured by weighing each vial of expressed milk and compared using general linear mixed-model analysis. Time to the onset of secretory activation was compared using censored regression analysis.

RESULTS

Main effect for gestational age controlling for day was statistically significant (P = .0234). The early preterm group produced more milk over the 7-day study than the term (P = .01) and late preterm (P = .02) groups. The early preterm group achieved secretory activation earlier than the late preterm group (adjusted P = .039).

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Pump-dependent mothers of all infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit may be at risk of inadequate milk production and delayed secretory activation and may therefore benefit from early milk production monitoring and lactation support.

IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH

Further studies should examine targeted interventions to increase milk production in pump-dependent mothers.

A Comparison of the Timing of Hand Expressing of Human Milk With Breast Massage to Standard Care for Mothers of Preterm Infants: An Exploratory Pilot Using a Randomized Controlled Design

BACKGROUND

Globally, 10% of all births are preterm. Access to human milk via manual breast expression is required to reduce the incidence of adverse outcomes related to prematurity. However, there is little evidence to recommend optimum timing to commence breast expression in mothers of preterm infants or the most effective method.

RESEARCH AIMS

(1) To test feasibility of recruitment and compliance to the protocol and (2) to determine influence of using hand expressing and breast massage on milk production, engorgement, mastitis, and breastfeeding status at 3 months.

METHODS

This study was an exploratory parallel two-group, pilot randomized controlled trial. Mothers of preterm infants at a metropolitan maternity hospital in Queensland Australia (N = 31) were randomized to receive either hand expressing and breast massage within the 1st hr of birth or standard care, hand expressing within 6 hr of birth, to determine the influence on milk production, engorgement, mastitis, and breastfeeding status at 3 months.

RESULTS

Feasibility targets were not met; however, valuable learning from this trial uncovered barriers facing midwives in the birth suite to commencing expressing in the 1st hr of birth. There was no difference in occurrence of secondary outcomes, although trends support future study.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, unpredictability of preterm birth influenced our ability to recruit participants. Important directions for future study design would benefit from incorporating expressing times up to 6 hr with a replicable breast massage.

Breastfeeding practices in neonatal wards in Spain. Neo-BFHI international survey

INTRODUCTION

In 2017, a worldwide survey was conducted on compliance with the practices promoted by Neo-BFHI (Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative expansion to neonatal wards).

OBJECTIVE

To present the results of the Spanish wards that participated in the global survey and compare them with those obtained internationally.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cross-sectional study through a survey on compliance with the Neo-BFHI ("Three basic principles", "Ten steps adapted to neonatal wards" and "the compliance with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes" and subsequent relevant World Health Assembly resolutions). Compliance was calculated as the mean in each indicator and a final mean score for each neonatal unit. For the partial and final scores for each country and at the international level, the median was used. All scores ranged between 0 and 100.

RESULTS

The response rate in Spain was 90%. The range of the national mean for neonatal wards were from 37 to 99, with no differences in the final score according to the level of care. The global score for Spain (72) is below the international median (77) and this also occurs in 8 of 14 items. The neonatal wards from BFHI designated hospitals, obtained a significantly higher mean global score, and in 9 of 14 items than the non-accredited ones.

CONCLUSIONS

Both international and national results indicate an improvement in breast feeding practices in neonatal units. The benefits of the BFHI accreditation of maternity reach neonatal wards. Spain has several key points below the international score.

The Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative for neonatal wards. A mini review

The Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative for Neonatal Wards (Neo-BFHI) is an expansion of the WHO/UNICEF Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding to address the needs of infants and families in all levels of neonatal care. The Neo-BFHI includes Three Guiding Principles as basic tenets, Ten Steps to protect, promote and support breastfeeding closely following the original Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative, and adherence to the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. In 2020, the WHO/UNICEF published recommendations for breastfeeding small, sick and preterm newborns that aligns with the Neo-BFHI. Conclusion: This mini review provides a brief description of the content in the Neo-BFHI.

Exclusive Maternal Milk Compared With Exclusive Formula on Growth and Health Outcomes in Very-Low-Birthweight Preterm Infants: Phase II of the Pre-B Project and an Evidence Analysis Center Systematic Review

As part of the Pre-B Project, a systematic review was conducted to evaluate associations between exclusive maternal milk (≥75%) intake and exclusive formula intake and growth and health outcomes in very-low-birthweight (VLBW) preterm infants. The protocols from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Evidence Analysis Center and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist were followed. Thirteen observational studies were included; 11 studies reported data that could be synthesized in a pooled analysis. The evidence is very uncertain (very low quality) about the effect of exclusive maternal milk on all outcomes due to observational study designs and risk of selection, performance, detection, and reporting bias in most of the included studies. Very-low-quality evidence suggested that providing VLBW preterm infants with exclusive maternal milk was not associated with mortality, risk of necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, or developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia, as compared with exclusive preterm formula, but exclusive maternal milk was associated with a lower risk of retinopathy of prematurity (very low certainty). Results may change when additional studies are conducted. There was no difference in weight, length, and head circumference gain between infants fed fortified exclusive maternal milk and infants receiving exclusive preterm formula; however, weight and length gain were lower in infants fed non-fortified exclusive maternal milk. Given the observational nature of human milk research, cause-and-effect evidence was lacking for VLBW preterm infants.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=86829, PROSPERO ID: CRD42018086829.

Evidence-based Discharge Nutrition to Optimize Preterm Infant Outcomes

Despite abundant research comparing postdischarge hospital diets for preterm infants, the ideal clinical approach has not been determined. Dilemmas persist because randomized controlled trials of preterm versus term infant formula have yielded equivocal results and because the predominant postdischarge diet for preterm infants has shifted from formula-based to a combination that includes maternal milk and increasingly includes a plan for breastfeeding. As the investigation of the influence of the post-hospital discharge diet on preterm infant outcomes evolves, factors to consider include the infant's oral feeding ability and the maternal lactation goal. The maturation of the preterm infant's oral feeding skills may at least partially explain why increased nutrient density appears to most benefit growth outcomes when given during the first 3 to 4 months after hospital discharge. At some point in maturation, the preterm infant may develop the ability to vary intake as needed to obtain sufficient nutrition no matter the density of the diet. In addition, attention to the maternal lactation goal is critical as intake of maternal milk likely influences neurodevelopmental outcomes as much or even to a greater extent than growth trajectory.

Promoting Human Milk and Breastfeeding for the Very Low Birth Weight Infant

Provision of mother's own milk for hospitalized very low birth weight (VLBW) (≤1500 g) infants in the NICU provides short- and long-term health benefits. Mother's own milk, appropriately fortified, is the optimal nutrition source for VLBW infants. Every mother should receive information about the critical importance of mother's own milk to the health of a VLBW infant. Pasteurized human donor milk is recommended when mother's own milk is not available or sufficient. Neonatal health care providers can support lactation in the NICU and potentially reduce disparities in the provision of mother's own milk by providing institutional supports for early and frequent milk expression and by promoting skin-to-skin contact and direct breastfeeding, when appropriate. Promotion of human milk and breastfeeding for VLBW infants requires multidisciplinary and system-wide adoption of lactation support practices.

Implementing an education program for nurse-midwives focused on early essential care for breast milk expression among mothers of preterm infants

BACKGROUND

Although breastfeeding guidelines for infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) have been introduced in Japan, these guidelines have not been reflected in practice. To improve this situation, it is important for nurses and nurse-midwives to acquire knowledge of appropriate care. This study examined changes in nurse-midwives' knowledge, attitude, and implementation of appropriate care after implementing an education program focused on early essential care for breast milk expression among mothers of preterm infants.

METHODS

This pre- and post-intervention study using a single group was conducted from June 2018 to May 2019 and enrolled 36 nurse-midwives in one perinatal medical center. The education program content included nurses' roles in early essential care for milk expression and the necessary care to promoting breast milk production among mothers of preterm infants. The nurse-midwives' knowledge and attitude on care were investigated 3 months before (pre-1), just before (pre-2), just after (post-1), and 3 months after (post-2) the program. The nurse-midwives' care implementation was investigated at pre-1, pre-2, and post-2. During this time, 11 mothers (before: 7, after: 4) reported the status of milk expression for 10 days after birth.

RESULTS

The mean knowledge scores of the nurse-midwives at post-1 and post-2 were significantly higher than that at pre-2 (post-1: p <  0.001, post-2: p <  0.001). The attitude on care scores at post-1 and post-2 were significantly higher than that at pre-2 (post-1: p < 0.001, post-2: p = 0.010). The care implementation score at post-2 was significantly higher than that at pre-2 in eight items (e.g., Q7 Explain about the effect of initiating milk expression early and assist mothers in it). However, the education program did not cause any changes in the mothers' initiation and frequency of milk expression, and breast milk volume after birth.

CONCLUSIONS

The significant increases in the knowledge, attitude on care, and care implementation scores of the nurse-midwives suggest the beneficial effects of the education program. The small number of mothers in the survey on the practice of breast milk expression limited the full determination of the benefits of the education program for nurse-midwives.

[Breastfeeding practices in neonatal wards in Spain. Neo-BFHI international survey]

INTRODUCTION

In 2017, a worldwide survey was conducted on compliance with the practices promoted by Neo-BFHI (Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative expansion to neonatal wards).

OBJECTIVE

Present the results of the Spanish wards that participated in the global survey and compare them with those obtained internationally.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cross-sectional study through a survey on compliance with the Neo-BFHI ("Three basic principles", "Ten steps adapted to neonatal wards" and "the compliance with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes" and subsequent relevant World Health Assembly resolutions). Compliance was calculated as the mean in each indicator and a final mean score for each neonatal unit. For the partial and final scores for each country and at the international level, the median was used. All score ranged between 0 and 100.

RESULTS

The response rate in Spain was 90%. The range of the national mean for neonatal wards were from 37 to 99, with no differences in the final score according to the level of care. The global score for Spain (72) is below the international median (77) and this also occurs in 8 of 14 items. The neonatal wards from BFHI designated hospitals, obtained a significantly higher mean global score, and in 9 of 14 items than the non-accredited ones.

CONCLUSIONS

Both international and national results indicate an improvement in breastfeeding practices in neonatal units. The benefits of the BFHI accreditation of maternity reach neonatal wards. Spain has several key points below the international score.

Measures of Lactation Outcomes in Women Delivering Preterm Infants

BACKGROUND

Mother's own milk (MOM) is well known to decrease prematurity-related morbidities, yet mothers delivering preterm infants often produce insufficient quantities of milk to provide these benefits. Although a critical need exists for research to support lactation success in this vulnerable population, development and investigation of interventions to increase available MOM for infant consumption requires consistent, valid, and reliable measures of lactation outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare and contrast methods of measuring lactation outcomes in mothers of preterm infants and evaluate their advantages and disadvantages.

METHODS

Measures of lactation outcomes were reviewed and synthesized. Insights on best practices and future research directions are provided.

RESULTS

Volume of MOM produced, lactation duration, and time to onset of secretory activation are important measures of lactation success. The most valid and reliable measure of milk production is likely weighing each vial of expressed milk combined with test weighing when infants breastfeed. Measures of lactation duration should include actual days mothers lactated rather than limiting to infant consumption of MOM as a proxy for duration and include not only whether mothers are lactating at infant discharge but whether they are also lactating at other health-relevant time points during hospitalization. Although time to onset of secretory activation is an important lactation outcome, information regarding valid and reliable indicators of onset in women delivering preterm infants is limited, and investigation of such indicators is a research priority. Variables that may affect lactation outcomes, including time to initiation of expression following delivery, duration of expression sessions, expression method, time spent in skin-to-skin care, maternal demographics and comorbidities, as well as maternal intent to lactate, must be considered when researchers investigate lactation outcomes in mothers of very low birth weight infants.

DISCUSSION

Consistent and valid measures of lactation outcomes are required to produce reliable results from which evidence-based practice recommendations can be developed in order to improve lactation success in this vulnerable population.

Maternal production of milk for infants in the neonatal intensive care unit

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.

The Critical Window of Opportunity: Lactation Initiation Following Cesarean Birth

Introduction: Cesarean birth is reported to be risk factor for the delayed onset of maternal lactation. The purpose of this study was to describe the timing of lactation initiation, subsequent feeding/milk expression patterns, and daily milk volumes among women who had a cesarean birth of an infant with a known congenital anomaly during the 3-day postpartum hospital stay. Materials and Methods: Retrospective descriptive cohort study. The electronic medical records of dyads, between 2014 and 2017 at the study setting, were abstracted for demographic and clinical data. Milk expression and milk volume data were abstracted from maternal lactation logs. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Among the cohort (n = 468 dyads), the mean time from infant delivery by cesarean to lactation initiation was 257.5 minutes. The cohort was divided into three groups by the timing of lactation initiation: EARLY (≤60 minutes; n = 112), MID (>60 minutes to ≤360 minutes; n = 309), and LATE (>360 minutes; n = 47). Statistically significant differences are seen between groups for the daily means: number of feeds/pumps and maternal milk volumes (irrespective of the presence of lactation risk factors). Discussion: This is the first study to explore the relationship of lactation initiation among women postcesarean birth whose infants have a known congenital anomaly. The time between the infant's birth and the first feed/milk expression, and the patterns of feeding/milk expression during the postpartum hospital stay, are key drivers for maternal milk supply.

[Impact of the kangaroo method of breastfeeding of preterm newborn infants in Brazil: an integrative review]

The scope of this integrative review of the literature was to assess if the Kangaroo-Mother Care Method as implemented in Brazil, from the first stage to outpatient follow-up, has an influence on breastfeeding. Brazilian research published in national and international journals in Portuguese, English or Spanish in the leading research databases between the years 2000 to 2017 was included, with full articles available and theme related to the scope of this study. A total of 1328 articles were located and articles not conducted in Brazil, literature review articles and themes not related to the Kangaroo-Mother Care Method were excluded, with 21 studies eventually being selected. The research results indicated a positive influence of the Kangaroo-Mother Care Method on breastfeeding and establishing a mother-child bond. However, the third stage or outpatient follow-up proved not to be effective in maintaining breastfeeding. Greater participation of primary care in home care provided to preterm newborns is necessary, with a view to promoting exclusive breastfeeding up to six months of age and extended up to two years of age.

The trends in the usage of breast milk in neonatal intensive care setting

BACKGROUND

Many interventions have been designed to increase breast milk (BM) consumption among preterm and critical-term infants in neonatal units. The aim of this study was to determine the trends in the usage of BM in a neonatal unit and the risk factors for insufficient breast-milk feeding at discharge.

METHODS

This retrospective study included newborn infants who hospitalized in the neonatal unit during two periods in different years, a 15-month period in 2012-2013 and in 2017-2018. The primary outcomes were the availability of BM within 24 h after delivery and the status of infant feeding at discharge.

RESULTS

During two periods of the study, a total of 3,018 infants were included in the study. The rate of BM expression within the first 24 h after delivery was 92.9%, and it was found that the first period of the study, caesarean section delivery, very low birth weight, being first-time mother, and young maternal age were each independently associated with the delayed initiation of BM expression (P < 0.05). At discharge, 87.6% of the infants had been feeding with BM. Multiple births, the delayed initiation of BM expression, and the length of hospital stay were associated with inadequate BM feeding at discharge (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that interventions supporting BM feeding, which have recently been carried out, made improvements to the initiation of BM expression among mothers whose babies were admitted to the neonatal unit, and in the rate of BM feeding among infants at discharge.

Timing of milk expression following delivery in mothers delivering preterm very low birth weight infants: a randomized trial

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of timing of expression initiation on mother's own milk production and time to secretory activation in mothers of preterm infants.

STUDY DESIGN

180 mothers delivering infants ≤1500 grams and ≤32 weeks gestation were randomized to begin expression within 60 (early), 61-180 (intermediate) or 181-360 (late) minutes following delivery. Milk volume was measured on days 1-7 and weekly for 6 weeks. Time to secretory activation was determined through self-report.

RESULTS

The late group produced more milk than the early group in the first 3 days (p = 0.015-0.031) and over 6 weeks (p = 0.045). The late group had more expressions on day 1 (early: p = 0.049; intermediate; p = 0.048).

CONCLUSION

Initiation of expression at 181-360 min following delivery was associated with increased milk production for 6 weeks following delivery. Further research is needed to determine the effect of expression frequency on milk production in the first days following birth.

Strategies to increase the use of mother's own milk for infants at risk of necrotizing enterocolitis

High-dose mother's own milk (MOM) feedings during the first 14 days post birth reduce the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birthweight (VLBW; <1500 g birthweight). However, high-dose MOM feedings are only possible if mothers provide sufficient quantities of MOM in a timely manner, and data indicate that the lack of MOM during the early post-birth period is a global problem. This paper reviews the modifiable and unmodifiable barriers to accessing adequate quantities of MOM during the early post-birth period and proposes evidence-based strategies to increase and improve the use of MOM during the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization with an emphasis on the critical first 2 weeks post birth.

Enabling Breastfeeding to Support Lifelong Health for Mother and Child

The health benefits of breastfeeding are well documented, and more than 80% of US women initiate breastfeeding; however, mothers in the United States face substantial challenges in meeting their personal breastfeeding goals, with approximately 60% weaning earlier than they had intended. In addition, there are significant racial/ethnic inequities in infant-feeding behaviors, and these inequities are a major public health concern. Enabling women to meet their breastfeeding goals is a public health priority. Infant feeding should be addressed as a modifiable health behavior, rather than a lifestyle choice.

Timing of First Milk Expression to Maximize Breastfeeding Continuation Among Mothers of Very Low-Birth-Weight Infants

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the time of first milk expression among mothers of very low-birth-weight (VLBW, 1,500 g or less) infants that predicts the maximal duration of mother's milk provision during hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

METHODS

We performed a secondary analysis and studied 1,157 mother-VLBW infant pairs in nine Massachusetts hospitals born from January 2015 until December 2017. We determined the cut-point for timing of first milk expression after delivery that was associated with the highest probability of any and exclusive provision of mother's milk for the infant at NICU discharge or transfer using recursive partitioning. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) comparing the probability of continued provision of mother's milk during the hospitalization between mothers who initiated milk expression before compared with after the cut-point (within 8 hours after delivery [referent] vs 9-24 hours), adjusting for gestational age, birth weight, maternal race and ethnicity, and clustering by hospital and plurality in Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight percent of mothers first expressed milk within 8 hours after delivery. First milk expression at 9-24 hours was associated with lower odds of any mother's milk provided to the infant on day 7 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.39 [0.24-0.60]) and discharge or transfer (aOR 0.45 [0.33-0.62]), compared with expression within 8 hours. Findings were similar for exclusive mother's milk. Mothers who first expressed 9-24 hours stopped providing milk earlier in the neonatal hospitalization (adjusted HR 1.64 [1.33-2.01]) compared with mothers who first expressed within 8 hours.

CONCLUSION

Using a data-driven approach, we identified that first milk expression within 8 hours was superior to 9-24 hours with respect to maximal duration of provision of mother's milk for hospitalized VLBW infants. Randomized control trials are needed to further establish the causal relationship between timing of first milk expression and long-term lactation success among mothers of VLBW infants.

Successful Full Lactation Achieved by Mothers of Preterm Infants Using Exclusive Pumping

Background: Some mothers of preterm infants suffer from difficulties in initiating and maintaining adequate milk production. This study was designed to investigate the milk production in mothers of preterm infants using hospital-grade breast pumps and to study the nutrient content of their milk. Methods: This was an observational prospective study. Mothers of preterm infants with gestational age < 32 weeks or birth weight < 1,500 g who were admitted to our hospital from August 2016 to December 2017 were recruited. A pumping diary and a questionnaire were completed by mothers (n = 30). Milk samples from before, during, and after each pumping session on days 7 and 14 postpartum were analyzed. Results: The median time to onset of lactogenesis II was 75.4 h. Mean milk output increased gradually, meeting key thresholds of 350 g/d on day 6, 500 g/d on day 8, and close to 750 g/d on day 14. Then, all mean milk outputs were over 750 g/d. The mean milk output exceeded the mean feeding volume on days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42. Mothers using hospital-grade breast pumps had more cumulative milk production compared with mothers using hand expression. The milk yield on days 7 and 14 were positively correlated to that on days 21, 28, 35, and 42. Milk outputs on days 7, 14, and 42 of mothers with a pumping frequency of ≥ 6 times/d were greater than mothers with a pumping frequency of < 6 times/d. Threshold values for milk output on day 7 (cut-off, 406.8 g/d; sensitivity, 68.2%; specificity, 100%) and day 14 (cut-off, 518.0 g/d; sensitivity, 81.8%; specificity, 100%) were identified as predicting a milk output of more than 750 g/d on day 42. Fat and energy levels were higher in hind-milk than fore- or mixed-milk on days 7 and 14. Those who pumped ≥ 6 times/d had higher levels of fat, carbohydrate, and energy in their milk on day 7. Conclusion: Most preterm infants' mothers using a hospital-grade pump with a pumping frequency of ≥ 6 times/d can reach full lactation successfully. Nutrient analysis of the human milk should be performed.

Predictors of Mother's Own Milk Feeding at Discharge in Preterm Infants

BACKGROUND

The dose-response benefits of human milk for preterm infants are well documented. Understanding factors that influence duration of mother's own milk (MOM) receipt may have important clinical implications.

PURPOSE

To identify variables that significantly affect whether or not preterm infants receive their own mother's milk at discharge.

METHODS

Maternal-infant dyads were eligible for inclusion if the infant was born between August 1, 2010, and July 31, 2015, was born at 32 weeks' gestation or less, or was 1800 g or less (institutional donor milk receipt criteria). Bivariate and multivariable regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Of 428 observations, 258 (60.3%) received MOM at discharge and 170 (39.7%) did not. Maternal characteristics that were protective for MOM receipt at discharge were non-Hispanic race, married, partner support, more educated, and private insurance. Protective infant characteristics were higher gestational age at birth, higher percentage of MOM feedings, fewer ventilator days, and more days of direct lactation. In multivariable logistic regression, the odds of receiving MOM at discharge significantly (odds ratio = 1.93; 95% confidence interval, 1.72-2.16; P < .001) increased with the increasing proportion of MOM. Regression analysis showed that gestational age and increased maternal age increased the likelihood of MOM receipt at discharge.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Clinicians will understand the significant effects even small increases in milk volume have on duration of MOM receipt at discharge, informing them of the importance of strategies to encourage and improve milk expression.

IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH

Future research studying critical time periods when mothers are most likely to reduce milk expression may have significant clinical importance.

Solely human milk diets for preterm infants

Human milk provides not only ideal nutrition for infant development but also immunologic factors to protect from infection and inflammation. For the newborn preterm infant, the natural delivery of milk is not attainable, and instead pumped maternal milk, donor human milk, and human milk fortification are mainstays of clinical care. Current research demonstrates a decreased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis with maternal milk and donor human milk when individually compared to formula and with a complete human milk diet of maternal milk supplemented with donor human milk. The incidence of severe retinopathy of prematurity is decreased with an exclusive human milk diet, and this decrease is more pronounced with human milk-based compared to bovine milk-based human milk fortifier. The incidence of other morbidities such as late-onset sepsis and bronchopulmonary dysplasia is decreased with higher dose of human milk though significant differences are not apparent in exclusive human milk diet studies.

Mother's Own Milk and Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most common complication of very preterm birth and can lead to lifelong health consequences. Optimal nutrition is a cornerstone in the prevention and treatment of BPD. In very preterm infants, mother's own milk (MOM) feeding is associated with lower risks of necrotizing enterocolitis, retinopathy of prematurity, and sepsis. Although several studies have shown that MOM may protect against BPD, a systematic analysis of the evidence has not been performed to date. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE, from their inception to 1 December 2017. Longitudinal studies comparing the incidence of BPD in preterm infants fed with exclusive MOM, MOM supplemented with preterm formula (PF), and/or exclusively fed with PF were selected. A random-effects model was used to calculate the Mantel Haenszel risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria (4,984 infants, 1,416 BPD cases). Use of exclusive MOM feedings was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of BPD (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.57-0.96, 5 studies). In contrast, meta-analysis could not demonstrate a significant effect on BPD risk when infants fed with more than 50% MOM were compared with infants fed with <50% MOM (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.77-1.23, 10 studies) or when infants fed with MOM supplemented with PF were compared with infants fed with exclusive PF (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.78-1.27, 6 studies). Meta-regression showed that differences in gestational age were a significant confounder of the effect of MOM. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review and meta-analysis that specifically evaluates the role of MOM on BPD. Our data indicate that MOM may reduce the incidence of BPD when used as an exclusive diet, but this result needs to be interpreted with caution. We did not find the same difference in analyses with other dosages of MOM. Further studies adequately powered to detect changes in BPD rates and that adjust for confounders are needed to confirm the beneficial effects of MOM on BPD.

Mediators of racial and ethnic disparity in mother's own milk feeding in very low birth weight infants

BACKGROUND

Despite high initiation rates for mother's own milk (MOM) provision, MOM feeding at discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) drops precipitously and reveals a racial/ethnic disparity. This study sought to identify factors that (1) predict MOM feeding at NICU discharge, and (2) mediate racial/ethnic disparity in MOM feeding at discharge.

METHODS

Secondary analysis of prospective cohort study of 415 mothers and their very low birth weight infants. Variables were grouped into five categories (demographics, neighborhood structural, social, maternal health, and MOM pumping). Significant predictors from each category were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model.

RESULTS

Although 97.6% of infants received MOM feedings, black infants were significantly less likely to receive MOM feeding at discharge. Positive predictors were daily pumping frequency, reaching pumped MOM volume ≥500 mL/day by 14 days, and maternal age. Negative predictors were low socioeconomic status (SES) and perceived breastfeeding support from the infant's maternal grandmother. Low SES, maternal age, and daily pumping frequency mediated the racial/ethnic differences.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple potentially modifiable factors predict MOM feeding at NICU discharge. Importantly, low SES, pumping frequency, and maternal age were identified as the mediators of racial and ethnic disparity. Strategies to mitigate the effects of modifiable factors should be developed and evaluated in future research.

Acceptability of a family-centered newborn care model among providers and receivers of care in a Public Health Setting: a qualitative study from India

BACKGROUND

Family-centered care (FCC), based on collaborative participation of the family along with a team of health care providers, is found to increase the well-being of sick infants in neonatal critical care units. Over the last 4 years, the neonatal unit of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi has innovated and developed an implementation framework for FCC. This qualitative study assessed the acceptability of family-centered care among providers and family members of neonates to identify gaps and challenges in implementation.

METHODS

In-depth interviews were conducted among a purposive sample of twelve family members of admitted neonates and six providers to examine their perceptions and experiences regarding FCC.

RESULTS

Family members and providers expressed a positive perception and acceptance of FCC based on the competencies and knowledge acquired by parents and other caregivers of essential newborn care. Family members reported being satisfied with the overall health care experience due to the transparency of care and allowing them to be by their baby's bedside. Limitations in the infrastructure or lack of facilities at the public hospital did not seem to dilute these positive perceptions. Providers also perceived FCC as a good practice to be continued in spite of concerns around sharing of nursery space with parents, the need for constant vigilance of parents' practices in handling of their newborns, and the need for separate, designated nursing staff for FCC.

CONCLUSION

Both providers and receivers of neonatal care found FCC to be an acceptable form of care. Providers identified challenges and suggested possible solutions, such as need of periodic provider sensitization on FCC, improved staff organization, and provision of mother-friendly facilities to enable her to provide around-the-clock care by her baby's bedside. Overcoming these challenges would allow for better integration of FCC within general clinical care in neonatal care units.

Improving Access to Lactation Consultation and Early Breast Milk Use in an Outborn NICU

Introduction

Increasing the use of breast milk in critically ill neonates is an important priority to improve neonatal care. Lactation consultants (LCs) educate mothers about evidence-based benefits of breast milk and provide technical support. LC support can lead to increased breastfeeding initiation. The project aim was to improve access to lactation services for mothers of patients admitted at <48 hours after birth to an exclusively outborn level III/IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Methods

The interventions included (1) implementation of an automatic electronic admission order for a lactation consult, (2) initiation of a daily lactation team notification, (3) assignment of a consistent NICU LC, and (4) targeted education. The percent of mothers who received lactation consults, the time to the first consultation, and the percent of patients receiving breast milk at 7 days of age were measured over 32 months and analyzed using statistical process control charts.

Results

The lactation consultation rate increased significantly from 74% to 88% with a shift in the mean by statistical process control chart analysis that was sustained over time. Concurrently, the time to first lactation consultation significantly decreased from hospital days 5 to 3.3, and variation decreased. Rates of breast milk use at 7 days of age also significantly increased from 75.6% to 89.6%.

Conclusions

Targeted quality improvement interventions led to an increased rate of lactation consultations, decreased time to first lactation consult, and increased rate of breast milk use at 7 days of age. These interventions could feasibly be implemented in similar referral NICU settings.

Breastfeeding Trends Among Very Low Birth Weight, Low Birth Weight, and Normal Birth Weight Infants

OBJECTIVE

To examine the change in breastfeeding behaviors over time, among low birth weight (LBW), very low birth weight (VLBW), and normal birth weight (NBW) infants using nationally representative US data.

STUDY DESIGN

Univariate statistics and bivariate logistic models were examined using the Early Child Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort (2001) and National Study of Children's Health (2007 and 2011/2012).

RESULTS

Breastfeeding behaviors improved for infants of all birth weights from 2007 to 2011/2012. In 2011/2012, a higher percentage of VLBW infants were ever breastfed compared with LBW and NBW infants. In 2011/2012, LBW infants had a 28% lower odds (95% CI, 0.57-0.92) of ever breastfeeding and a 52% lower odds (95% CI, 0.38-0.61) of breastfeeding for ≥6 months compared with NBW infants. Among black infants, a larger percentage of VLBW infants were breastfed for ≥6 months (26.2%) compared with LBW infants (14.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Breastfeeding rates for VLBW and NBW infants have improved over time. Both VLBW and NBW infants are close to meeting the Healthy People 2020 ever breastfeeding goal of 81.9%. LBW infants are farther from this goal than VLBW infants. The results suggest a need for policies that encourage breastfeeding specifically among LBW infants.

Feeding practices in the first 6 months after delivery: Effects of gestational hypertension

OBJECTIVE

To identify the effects of gestational hypertension on feeding practices in the first 6 months after delivery.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective cohort study enrolling 168 mother-newborn pairs (Gestational hypertension group n = 42, Normotensive group n = 124). The gestational hypertension diagnosis criteria was established as a systolic pressure of ≥140 mmHg or a diastolic pressure of ≥90 mmHg after 20 weeks of gestation, while its severity was categorized according to blood pressure, proteinuria, clinical and laboratory analysis. Demographic, clinical and social information were collected from the patient's medical records. In order to collect information about the newborn's feeding practices and possible difficulties in breastfeeding the mothers were interviewed via telephone 30, 60, 120 and 180 days after delivery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Feeding practices (eg. exclusive breastfeeding, predominant breastfeeding, complementary breastfeeding and bottle-feeding) within the first 6 months after delivery.

RESULTS

The mothers with Gestational hypertension displayed greater difficulties in maintaining exclusive breastfeeding over time, when compared to normotensive mothers. There was a greater introduction of milk formulas in the group of women with gestational hypertension, and they presented greater difficulties in maintaining exclusive breastfeeding over time when compared to the group of normotensive mothers at hospital admission (p ≤ 0,0001). The group with gestational hypertension reported higher frequencies of predominant breastfeeding practices and presented shorter durations of breastfeeding after 6 months after delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with gestational hypertension are at risk of using complementary breastfeeding and breastfeeding for shorter durations.

Effects of early intervention on feeding behavior in preterm infants: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Although highly beneficial, human milk feeding is challenging in preterm infants due to adverse NICU factors for the infant and mother.

AIM

To investigate the effects of an early intervention in promoting infant's human milk feeding and acquisition of full oral feeding.

METHODS

This study is part of a RCT. We included preterm infants born between 25⁺⁰ and 29⁺⁶ weeks of gestational age (GA) without severe morbidities, and their parents. Infants were randomized to either receive early intervention (EI) or standard care (SC). EI included PremieStart and parental training to promote infant massage and visual attention according to a detailed protocol. SC, in line with NICU protocols, included Kangaroo Mother Care. The time of acquisition of full oral feeding and human milk consumption at discharge were recorded.

RESULTS

Seventy preterm (EI n = 34, SC n = 36) infants were enrolled. Thirteen were excluded according to the protocol. Fifty-seven (EI n = 29, SC n = 28) infants were evaluated at discharge. The two groups were comparable for parent and infant characteristics. A significantly higher rate of infants fed with any human milk was observed in the EI group (75.9%) compared with the SC group (32.1%) (p = 0.001), and EI infants were four times more likely to be fed exclusively with human milk. Full oral feeding was achieved almost one week earlier in EI infants (mean postmenstrual age 36.8 ± 1.6 vs 37.9 ± 2.4 weeks in EI vs SC, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Early interventions promoting mother self-efficacy and involvement in multisensory stimulation have beneficial effects on human milk feeding in preterm infants.

Determinants of Successful Direct Breastfeeding at Hospital Discharge in High-Risk Premature Infants

BACKGROUND

Despite a mother's intention to breastfeed, there are many barriers to feeding preterm infants that decrease breastfeeding rates.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this research was to determine factors associated with successful direct breastfeeding (DBF) of the preterm infant at hospital discharge.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective chart review of 69 preterm (<34 weeks' gestational age) infants in the neonatal intensive care unit, whose mothers intended to breastfeed, was conducted. Infant-, mother-, and feeding-related factors were examined by chi-square or t test for their relationship with breastfeeding success, and by multiple logistic regression to identify predictive factors.

RESULTS

Successful DBF at discharge occurred in 64%. Mothers of infants who were breastfed were older (p < 0.0001); had less psychiatric illness (p = 0.03); and were less likely to smoke (p < 0.0001) and use recreational drugs (p = 0.04). The infants had higher birth weights (p = 0.03) and lower incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (p = 0.04). A higher proportion of infants received DBF at their first oral feed (p < 0.001), and were discharged earlier (p = 0.03). Reduced milk supply was cited for breastfeeding failure in 36%. Older maternal age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.51) and DBF at the first oral feed (OR = 7.72, 95% CI 1.37-43.6) were associated with successful DBF at discharge.

CONCLUSION

Maternal age and method of first oral feed are critical predictors of breastfeeding success in preterm infants. Mothers should be encouraged to breastfeed at the infant's first oral attempt and strategic breastfeeding support should be provided before initiation of oral feeding.

Prevalence and duration of breast milk feeding in very preterm infants: A 3-year follow-up study and a systematic literature review

BACKGROUND

The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breast milk feeding until 6 months and continuing up to 2 years of age; little is known about whether very preterm infants are fed in accordance with these recommendations. We aimed to describe the prevalence and duration of breast milk feeding in very preterm children and to systematically review internationally published data.

METHODS

We evaluated breast milk feeding initiation and duration in very preterm children born in 2 Portuguese regions (2011-2012) enrolled in the EPICE cohort and followed-up to the age of 3 (n = 466). We searched PubMed^® from inception to January 2017 to identify original studies reporting the prevalence and/or duration of breast milk feeding in very preterm children.

RESULTS

91.0% of children received some breast milk feeding and 65.3% were exclusively breast fed with a median duration of 2 months for exclusive and 3 months for any breast milk; only 9.9% received exclusive breast milk for at least 6 months, 10.2% received any breast milk for 12 months or more, and 2.0% for up to 24 months. The literature review identified few studies on feeding after hospital discharge (n = 9); these also reported a low prevalence of exclusive breast milk feeding at 6 months (1.0% to 27.0%) and of any breast milk at 12 months (8.0% to 12.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

The duration of breast milk feeding among Portuguese very preterm infants was shorter than recommended. However, this appears to be common globally. Research is needed to inform strategies to promote continued breast milk feeding.