Percent mother's own milk feedings for preterm neonates predicts discharge feeding outcomes

Association between maternal sociodemographic characteristics and exclusive mother's own milk feeding in preterm infants: a cohort study using data from the National Neonatal Research Database

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain the sociodemographic and geographical determinants of exclusive and no mother's own milk (MOM) feeding for infants <34 weeks' gestational age (GA) in England and Wales.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study using the National Neonatal Research Database (2016-2022). We calculated unadjusted and mutually adjusted ORs for exclusive and no MOM feeding throughout an infant's neonatal stay, by maternal age group, ethnicity and deprivation quintile. Neonatal Operational Delivery Network and unit were included as random effects, and the adjusted models included other potential confounders such as gestational age and mode of delivery.

RESULTS

Among the 90 730 infants, 11 962 (13.2%) were exclusively MOM fed, while 9018 (9.9%) never received MOM. The odds of exclusive MOM feeding increased with decreasing maternal social deprivation (OR for least deprived vs most deprived quintile 2.16, 95% CI 2.01 to 2.33), while the odds of no MOM decreased (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.36). The odds of exclusive MOM feeding were lower for Asian/Asian-British mothers compared with white mothers (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.82 to 0.95). The odds of never receiving MOM were lower for Black, Asian and mixed ethnicities compared with white mothers. Infants of mothers aged 26-35 years had the highest odds of exclusive MOM feeding. There was a geographical variation in feeding practices with a north-south divide in the prevalence of never receiving MOM. There was a significant variation in feeding practices between neonatal units.

CONCLUSION

Provision of MOM to preterm infants in England and Wales is associated with maternal sociodemographic characteristics.

Effect of early establishment of full enteral feeding with exclusive mother's own milk in preterm babies: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Human milk, especially the mother's own milk (MOM), is highly recommended for preterm babies considering its numerous benefits. Prioritising the use of exclusive MOM in enteral feeding plans is essential for maximising the health and development of preterm babies. This study evaluated the effect of early establishment of full enteral feed (FEF) with exclusive MOM on feeding rate and neonatal nutritional outcomes at discharge among preterm babies.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using medical records of single preterm babies born between 27 and 33+6 weeks of gestational age and admitted to a single tertiary care hospital in South India between June 2019 and May 2022. The primary exposure was the establishment of FEF with exclusive MOM. The outcomes assessed were the exclusive MOM feeding rate and neonatal nutritional outcomes at discharge.

RESULTS

A total of 160 preterm babies met the inclusion criteria. Among these 104 (65%) achieved FEF with exclusive MOM. The exclusive MOM feeding rate at discharge was significantly higher among preterm babies who achieved FEF with exclusive MOM, 91.3% vs 62.5% (RR: 1.46 (95% CI: 1.18 to 1.81)). Preterm babies who achieved FEF with exclusive MOM were five times more likely to continue exclusive MOM feeding at discharge (aOR: 5.37, 95% CI: 2.04 to 14.16). The median time taken to achieve exclusive MOM among the exposure group was 6 days (95% CI: 5.6 to 6.3) compared with 12 days (95% CI: 10.2 to 13.8) for the unexposed group (HR: 0.26 (95% CI: 0.17 to 0.38; p<0.001)). There was no significant difference in growth and neonatal complications between the groups. Availability of MOM within 48 hours was strongly associated with achieving FEF with exclusive MOM, with an adjusted OR of 6.12 (95% CI: 2.81 to 13.30).

CONCLUSIONS

Early establishment of FEF with exclusive MOM increases the exclusive MOM feeding rate at discharge. Early access to MOM within 48 hours significantly enhances the likelihood of achieving FEF with exclusive MOM.

The Interaction of Early Exclusive Mother's Milk Feeding and Ethnic Background with Ultimate Feeding Outcomes After Very Preterm Birth

Background: Mothers of very preterm infants (born under 32 weeks' gestation) have specific lactation challenges. There is little literature related to the influences on exclusive maternal milk provision. Method: An observational cohort using prospectively entered clinical data in a single tertiary neonatal unit in the United Kingdom over a 2-year period 2019-2021. There were 112 infants born under 32 weeks' gestation who fulfilled inclusion criteria. Results: Average gestation was 27.9 ± 2.6 weeks at birth and 37.3 ± 3.3 at discharge. On day 4 after birth, 29% (31/107) received exclusive maternal milk. At discharge, 54% (60/112) received exclusive maternal milk. Exclusive maternal milk at day 4 was associated with exclusive maternal milk at discharge (adjusted relative risk 2.3, 95% confidence interval 1.5-3.6, p < 0.001). Mothers from "white other," Asian, and mixed/multiple ethnic backgrounds were more likely than white British mothers to give exclusive maternal milk at discharge. This association emerged only after adjustment for exclusive maternal milk at day 4 after birth. Conclusions: The association of minority ethnic background with feeding outcomes that has previously been noted in the United Kingdom general population was also found in this very preterm cohort. The relationship was strengthened after adjustment for exclusive maternal milk at day 4. This may suggest that establishing early milk supply is a universal barrier to later exclusive maternal milk in this population and that once milk supply is established, standard social and cultural experiences come to bear on infant feeding decisions.

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.