Author:
Schwab Isabella,Wullenkord Ricarda,Eyssel Friederike,Dresbach Till,Scholten Nadine, ,Müller Andreas,Hellmich Martin,Ernstmann Nicole,Hammer Antje,Kribs Angela,Köberlein-Neu Juliane,Lugani Katharina,Mildenberger Eva,Rüffer Jens Ulrich,Matthias Katja,Klotz Daniel,Sunder-Plaßmann Anne,Wiesen Daniel,Horenkamp-Sonntag Dirk,Klein Iris,Klein Melanie,Rupprecht Christoph,Schleich Laura,Kurz Anke
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Establishing successful lactation in mothers of very low birth weight (VLBW, <1500g) infants requires structured lactation support. Little is known about mothers’ perspectives on lactation support in German neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
Methods
This paper features a convergent mixed-method approach that includes a retrospective, cross-sectional questionnaire and interview data to showcase mothers’ perceptions of lactation support in NICUs. Content analysis of the interviews (n = 12) and a descriptive analysis of quantitative data (n = 533) were performed to illustrate the current status and need for lactation support in German NICUs.
Results
The results show that lactation support in German NICUs is often inadequate and does not comply with recommendations based on the existing literature to encourage pumping and breastfeeding in mothers. The data imply that even if lactation is successfully initiated in most cases, it is often not maintained over time, which may be due to a lack of personal support and consistent information.
Conclusion
The overall structures and institutional guidelines for lactation support should be encouraged to promote nutrition with mother´s own milk in German NICUs.
Funder
Gemeinsame Bundesausschuss
Universität Bielefeld
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Reference44 articles.
1. Institut für Qualitätssicherung und Transparenz im Gesundheitswesen (IQTIG). Bundesauswertung Perinatalmedizin: Geburtshilfe - Erfassungsjahr 2021. 2022. https://iqtig.org/downloads/auswertung/2021/pmgebh/DeQS_PM-GEBH_2021_BUAW_V01_2022-06-30.pdf. Accessed 24 Oct 2023.
2. Miller J, Tonkin E, Damarell RA, McPhee AJ, Suganuma M, Suganuma H, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of human milk feeding and morbidity in very low birth weight infants. Nutrients. 2018. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10060707.
3. Dutta S, Singh B, Chessell L, Wilson J, Janes M, McDonald K, et al. Guidelines for feeding very low birth weight infants. Nutrients. 2015. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu7010423.
4. Sisk PM, Lovelady CA, Dillard RG, Gruber KJ, O’Shea TM. Early human milk feeding is associated with a lower risk of necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birth weight infants. J Perinatol. 2007. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211758.
5. Meier PP, Patel AL, Bigger HR, Rossman B, Engstrom JL. Supporting breastfeeding in the neonatal intensive care unit: Rush Mother’s Milk Club as a case study of evidence-based care. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcl.2012.10.007.