Structured promotion of breastmilk expression is associated with shortened hospitalisation for very preterm infants

Abstract

Aim: This study assessed neonatal outcomes following implementation of a structured, practical approach for promotion of breastmilk expression in mothers of very preterm infants.

Methods: A multidisciplinary team developed a protocol that focussed on the enhancement of expression of human milk by mothers of very preterm infants. A pre- and poststudy intervention was subsequently performed. The group of infants enrolled in this time period was compared to a pre-intervention group from 2010. Outcomes assessed included breastmilk expression, initiation of feeding, re-attainment of birthweight, attainment of full enteral feeding, the incidence of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), sepsis and duration of hospitalisation.

Results: In total, 82 infants (39,43) were included. While there was no statistically significant difference in earlier initiation of enteral feeding with EBM (median = 2 days) nor earlier achievement of fully enteral feeding (median = 12 days), birthweight was regained earlier in the postintervention cohort (mean = 10.42 days; p = 0.038) and there was a reduced length of stay (mean = 50 days; p = 0.021).

Conclusion: A structured, focussed, multimodal approach to enhance breastmilk production has shown potential for producing positive end outcomes, particularly, a significant reduction in duration of hospitalisation.

Keywords: Neonatal feeding outcomes; Structured breastmilk promotion; Very preterm infants.