Daily Breastmilk Volume in Mothers of Very Low Birth Weight Neonates: A Repeated-Measures Randomized Trial of Hand Expression Versus Electric Breast Pump Expression

Proactive Management of Lactation in the Birth Hospital to Ensure Long-Term Milk Production and Sustainable Breastfeeding

Individuals who are at risk of not achieving a full milk supply are often overlooked in scientific literature. There is available guidance to help establish an adequate milk supply for healthy individuals experiencing a physiologic labor and birth, and there are robust recommendations for the lactating parents of small, sick, and preterm newborns to ensure that these newborns can receive human milk. Missing from the literature are clinical practice guidelines that address the preexisting health, pregnancy, birth, or newborn-related risk factors for suboptimal lactation. This can include risk factors that impact secretory activation or newborns who may not attach and suckle effectively to provide the stimulation and removal necessary to reach full milk volume. Secretory activation can only occur after the birth of the newborn and the placenta, with milk volume being established during the first weeks of breastfeeding. Recognizing this gap, over the past 2 years, an international group of midwives led by a doctoral nurse scientist in lactation conducted an extensive literature review to identify the most significant risk factors that can disrupt normal physiologic lactation. Our group sought to establish proactive lactation management strategies to ensure long-term milk production. We developed an evidence-based perinatal operational breastfeeding plan alongside clinical pathways to guide health care professionals in assessment, care, and necessary education for families who present with risk. Our goal is for midwives and other health care professionals to integrate the perinatal operational breastfeeding plan into practice and use these pathways to ensure (1) timely and effective secretory activation, (2) building a milk supply as robust as feasible for personal situations and conditions, (3) more newborns receiving more human milk and (4) more families achieving their personal breastfeeding goals.

Optimizing breastfeeding for hospitalized newborns: A narrative review of midwifery-led interventions

Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for newborns. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life as it has benefits to mother and child. However, breastfeeding can be challenging. Especially when the newborn is hospitalized, the physical separation of mother and child can make breastfeeding difficult. Hence pre- and post-natal midwife care supporting breastfeeding become more important. The aim of this narrative review is to identify measures taken by midwives in the labor ward, on the postpartum unit and at home that can influence breastfeeding success positively in hospitalized newborns. A literature review was conducted in PubMed and CINAHL and on the website of the European Institute for Breastfeeding and Lactation from April to September 2023. Studies from 2013 to 2023 written in German or English comparing two different measures/groups were considered. Twenty studies were included and five measures, taken by midwives, were identified. Skin-to-skin contact leads to higher (exclusive) breastmilk feeding rates, better sucking behavior and a shorter time to full enteral feeding. Regular breastmilk expression and supervised breastfeeding attempts result in higher breast milk feeding rates. Breastfeeding counselling enables the mothers to access lactation education. Uninterrupted visiting hours lead to higher exclusive breastmilk feeding rates. Midwives play a key role in promoting breastfeeding among hospitalized newborns involving initiating lactation, strengthening the mother-child bond and providing appropriate breastfeeding advice. There is a further need for research, as midwives are rarely involved in studies.

Comparison of Two Pumping Strategies to Improve Exclusive Breastfeeding at Discharge in Mothers of VLBW Infants with Low Milk Output - A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effect of two strategies of breast pumping -power pumping (PP) vs. routine pumping (RP) over one week in mothers of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with low milk output to improve breastfeeding rates at discharge.

METHODS

Mothers with low milk output, defined as inability to express sufficient breastmilk to meet the feeding requirements of their infant on or after post-natal day 14, were randomized to receive power pumping vs. routine pumping - once daily for 7 d coupled with routine lactation support and hand expression 3 hourly in both groups. The primary outcome was exclusive breastfeeding at discharge.

RESULTS

There was no difference in the two pumping strategies with respect to exclusive breastfeeding rates [61.1% in PP vs. 50% in RP group; (p = 0.477, RR 1.2; 95% CI 0.76 to 2.17)]. Median milk volume pumped in the individual power pumping session on 7th day of intervention was significantly higher than that in the individual routine pumping session on the 7th day (50 mL vs. 27 mL, p = 0.014). The cumulative median milk volume expressed per individual pumping session over the 7 sessions of power pumping was also higher than that with routine pumping (305 mL vs. 213 mL, p = 0.054).

CONCLUSIONS

In this pilot trial, expressed milk volume was significantly higher after each individual power pumping session compared to routine pumping. However, the exclusive breastfeeding rates at discharge were similar in the two groups.

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.

Multi-prong quality improvement approach for increasing mother's own milk use for very low birth weight infants

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate a single center quality improvement (QI) collaborative designed to increase the provision of mother's own milk (MOM) at discharge to premature infants through evidence-based practices while targeting perinatal health disparities.

DESIGN

This QI initiative was designed for preterm infants admitted to a single-center NICU within 24 h of life. Interventions were implemented between March 2022 and June 2022. MOM provision rates were compared between baseline (August 2021-February 2022), and after interventions (March 2022-December 2022).

RESULTS

The percentage of mothers who discontinued pumping during the infant hospitalization decreased from 49% to 35% (p < 0.01). Infant discharge diet with MOM improved from 36% to 58% (p < 0.001). Pump frequency at two weeks increased from 4.0 ± 2.6 to 5.1 ± 2.4 (p = 0.026).

CONCLUSION

Our collaborative increased the percentage of preterm infants receiving MOM at discharge and reduced the number of mothers who discontinue pumping during the NICU hospitalization.

A Quality Improvement Initiative to Increase the Milk Donation to the Human Milk Bank Post-Coronavirus Disease-19 Pandemic

Background and Objective: Donor human milk (DHM) from the human milk bank (HMB) is the next best alterative in circumstances when mother's own milk is not available. There was a steep decline in the volume of DHM collected during the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic due to various factors, while DHM demand increased. Hence, a quality improvement (QI) study was conducted to increase the volume of milk donation to HMB from postpandemic baseline of 300-400 to 1,000 mL/day over 8 weeks. Materials and Methods: Fish bone analysis was used to identify the potential barriers, and four Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles were conducted from January 2021 to March 2021 to address the key barriers. In the first PDSA cycle, training of health care providers was done. Sessions for educating mothers in the second PDSA cycle and individualized one-to-one counseling of mothers by a mother support group were done in the third PDSA cycle. The availability of breast pump was increased in the fourth PDSA cycle. Sustainability of the interventions was studied for 6 months and data were analyzed. Results: The average DHM collected per day at the end of each PDSA cycle was 900, 1,500, 1,000, and 1,100 mL. Although the sustenance phase was affected by the second COVID-19 wave, prompt identification of the issues and timely interventions prevented the donated volume from dropping to preintervention levels. Conclusion: QI initiatives customized for local settings can result in significant improvement in voluntary milk donation in HMB, which can result in more availability of DHM to premature babies.

Breastfeeding and Antepartum Breast Milk Expression (BABE): A Randomized Control Trial Utilizing an Electric Breast Pump and its Effect on Postpartum Breastfeeding

Objective: To evaluate the effect of antenatal breast milk expression (ABE) on exclusive breastfeeding. Materials and Methods: A randomized control study was performed with the primary outcome being formula use during the postpartum hospital stay. Secondary outcomes were the exclusive breastfeeding rate at 6 months postpartum and peripartum safety outcomes. Participants included multiparous and nulliparous patients who planned to breastfeed. Exclusion criteria included exclusively breastfeeding in prior pregnancies for greater than 6 months, medical contraindications for breastfeeding, multiple gestation, history of preterm delivery, or any contraindication to vaginal delivery. ABE group participants were instructed to pump for 20 minutes, three times daily, starting at 37 weeks of gestation. Results: Three-hundred four participants from two clinics were enrolled. There was no significant difference in formula use during hospital admission (odds ratio [OR] 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.34-1.22) or in exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months postpartum (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.34-1.29). Colostrum use was more prevalent in the ABE group (OR 5.31, 95% CI 2.63-10.76). ABE participants were more likely to present in spontaneous labor (OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.05-4.14). Conclusion: ABE did not significantly improve exclusive breastfeeding rates, but safely provides women opportunities to become familiar with breastfeeding before delivery and can provide readily available colostrum. There was no negative secondary safety outcome related to ABE identified. Prenatal care providers can consider recommending ABE to patients with minimal to no experience with breastfeeding.

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.

The Utilization of Sodium Concentration in Human Milk from Pump-Dependent Mothers of Preterm Infants as a Measure of Milk Production

Objective: This study investigated changes in sodium concentrations in human milk from mothers of premature infants using different breast pumps for 14 days postpartum, and the correlation between the sodium concentration in mother's own milk (MOM) and the volume pumped. Study Design: This randomized controlled study recruited 66 mothers of premature infants delivered in our hospital from February to December 2018, and we assigned them to three groups using an envelope method. In intervention group 1, a hospital-grade electric breast pump was used from postpartum day 1 to 14; in intervention group 2, a hospital-grade electric breast pump was used on postpartum days 1 to 5 and a normal personal electric breast pump on postpartum days 6 to 14; in the control group, a personal normal electric breast pump was used from postpartum day 1 to 14. Data recorded included the breast milk volume pumped and milk sodium concentration. Results: The average daily volume of MOM pumped differed statistically (p < 0.05) between the intervention and control groups at postpartum days 7 and 14. The average daily volume pumped did not differ between intervention groups 1 and 2 by postpartum day 14 (p > 0.05). However, the time taken for the sodium concentrations to normalize differed significantly (p < 0.01). At postpartum day 5, the sodium concentrations of 73% of intervention group 1 and 2 mothers were within normal limits, and they were maintained until day 14. In comparison, only 41% of the controls had normal MOM sodium levels on day 5, and they were still high on day 7 in 27.3% of controls. Conclusions: In the early stage of lactation initiation (within 5 days postpartum), using a hospital-grade electric breast pump promotes lactation in mothers who deliver prematurely and the sodium concentrations normalize more quickly. Sodium can be used as an objective biomarker of MOM to evaluate the possibility of delayed lactation in mothers of premature infants, and it could assist interventions in the early postpartum period. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2200061384.

Nonpharmacologic Factors Affecting Milk Production in Pump-Dependent Mothers of Critically Ill Infants: State of the Science

BACKGROUND

Improved health outcomes for critically ill infants including neurodevelopmental, immunological, and cost benefits are dependent upon the dose and duration of mother's own milk feedings. However, mothers of infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) must express their milk (pump-dependent) and often struggle with milk production.

PURPOSE

To examine the state of the science on nonpharmacologic modifiable expression factors that may influence milk production in pump-dependent mothers of critically ill infants admitted to the NICU.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL databases from 2005 to 2020.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Guided by the lactation conceptual model, the authors searched for peer-reviewed studies with terms related to milk volume, pump dependency, critically ill infants, and modifiable factors, which may influence milk volume and assessed 46 eligible studies.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data were extracted by 3 reviewers with a systematic staged review approach.

RESULTS

Evidence from 26 articles found expressed milk volume may be influenced by multiple potentially modifiable factors. Simultaneous expression with a hospital-grade electric pump at least 5 times per day beginning 3 to 6 hours after delivery, and adding complementary techniques including hand expression, hands-on-pumping, music, breast massage, warm compresses, skin-to-skin care, and the mother expressing near her infant may promote increased milk volume.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH

Healthcare providers should assist pump-dependent mothers with early initiation and frequent milk removal with a hospital-grade breast pump. Further research is needed to explore optimal frequency of expressions, dose and timing of skin-to-skin care, and other targeted strategies to improve expressed milk volume.

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.

Effect of Electrical Breast Pump Loaning Project on Human Milk Feeding Practice in Preterm Neonates Less Than 32 Weeks of Gestation or Birth Weight Less Than 1,500 g

Objective: Milk expression is the key step of milk production in mothers of preterm infants. Our hospital has started an electrical breast pump loaning program to improve human milk feeding rate in our patients. This study was aimed to assess the beneficial effect of the loaning program. Materials and Methods: This was an interrupted time-series study. In addition to general information, mothers in the intervention period received electrical breast pump before discharge. Maternal milk volume was recorded for 28 days, and 24-hour-feeding record and recall were used to determine breastfeeding rate at discharge and 6 months postpartum, respectively. Results: There were 40 mothers, 20 mothers in each group, who participated in this study. Maternal milk volume in the control group was 169.3 + 152.4, 329.5 + 241.6, 547.4 + 390.8, and 704.2 + 439.6 mL/day in first, second, third, and fourth week, respectively. Milk volume in the intervention group was 308.5 + 269.6, 454.1 + 281, 544.9 + 282.2, and 531.9 + 282.2 mL/day in first, second, third, and fourth week. Average frequency of milk expression was higher in the intervention group [5.15 (1) and 6.01 (1.49) times per day, p-value 0.04]. There were one (5%) and four (20%) infants in the control and intervention groups who were exclusively breastfed at discharge. At 6 months, eight (40%) infants from each group were still breastfed. Conclusion: Mothers in the pump loaning program had expressed milk more frequently. Even though maternal milk volume difference did not reach statistical significance, the intervention group had higher milk volume in the first 2 weeks postpartum. There was no difference in terms of feeding type both at discharge and 6 months postpartum.

The Trajectory of Expressed Colostrum Volume in the First 48 Hours Postpartum: An Observational Study

Objective: Colostrum, the first form of human milk, is strongly encouraged for infants due to its benefits. During the early postpartum (PP) period, the secreted colostrum volume can be minimal, causing concerns among mothers about sufficient milk supply. Few studies have examined temporal changes in the colostrum. This study aimed to elucidate the trajectory of expressed colostrum volume in the first 48 hours after delivery. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study performed at Kagawa National Children's Hospital. One hundred five mothers who did not directly breastfeed in the first 48 hours after delivery were enrolled in the study. Well-trained midwives instructed the mothers on how to express human milk, and mothers started to express as soon as possible after delivery. Mothers were advised to express human milk every 3 hours, and the milk volume was measured. Results: Within 3 hours PP, 60% of mothers expressed milk, and the median frequency of expression was 14 (interquartile range, 11-16) times in the first 48 hours. At 0-3 and 3-6 hours PP, the volume of initially expressed milk was 0.4 (0.0-2.0) mL and 1.0 (0.0-6.0) mL, respectively. Subsequently, milk volume decreased. The volume remained low until 30 hours PP and increased dramatically; this phenomenon is termed secretory activation, which began later in primiparous women than in multiparous women. Conclusion: The decline in expressed milk volume during the early PP period caused concern among mothers. Therefore, mothers should be informed of the PP trajectory of human milk volume.

Investigation of the Effect of Human Milk Expression Techniques on Milk Content: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

If the mother and infant cannot meet after birth, it is recommended to express milk and give it to the infant. There was evidence indicating that there might be decrease in essential nutrient values in human milk content depending on the expression technique in literature. The goal of this systematic review was to investigate the effect of human milk expression techniques on the macronutrient milk content and establish an evidence base for future studies.

METHODS

Studies investigating the effect of human milk expression techniques on milk content were reviewed without year limitations. A literature review was conducted in six electronic databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, CINAHL and Cochrane) until 30 May 2021, using the keywords of breast milk expression techniques, milk content and breast milk pumping.

RESULTS

From 258 articles initially screened, we included 6 articles in the systematic review. The fat, protein and lactose content of human milk was analyzed in the studies reviewed. It was concluded that there was no significant effect on the protein (9.7-9.8 g/dl and 2.1-2.1 g/dl, respectively) and lactose (6.50-6.53% and 6.1-6.1 g/dl, respectively) content of milk. However, the fat (58.30, 48.81g/l; 2.6-2.2 g/dl) content was affected.

CONCLUSIONS

This study investigated the effect of milk expression techniques on the macronutrient content of human milk, and it was concluded that there was no significant effect on the protein and carbohydrate content of milk. However, the fat content was affected. Limitation of this study is that some factors that might affect the content of human milk were not standardized sufficiently in the included studies.

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.

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.

Racial and socioeconomic disparities in breast milk feedings in US neonatal intensive care units

Very low birth weight (VLBW; <1500 g birth weight) infants are substantially more likely to be born to black than to non-black mothers, predisposing them to potentially preventable morbidities that increase the risk for costly lifelong health problems. Mothers' own milk (MOM) may be considered the ultimate "personalized medicine" since milk composition and bioactive components vary among mothers and multiple milk constituents provide specific protection based on shared exposures between mother and infant. MOM feedings reduce the risks and associated costs of prematurity-associated morbidities, with the greatest reduction afforded by MOM through to NICU discharge. Although black and non-black mothers have similar lactation goals and initiation rates, black VLBW infants are half as likely to receive MOM at NICU discharge in the United States. Black mothers are significantly more likely to be low-income, single heads of household and have more children in the home, increasing the burden of MOM provision. Although rarely considered, the out-of-pocket and opportunity costs associated with providing MOM for VLBW infants are especially onerous for black mothers. When MOM is not available, the NICU assumes the costs of inferior substitutes for MOM, contributing further to disparate outcomes. Novel strategies to mitigate these disparities are urgently needed. IMPACT: Mother's own milk exemplifies personalized medicine through its unique biologic activity. Hospital factors and social determinants of health are associated with mother's own milk feedings for very low-birth-weight infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. Notably, out-of-pocket and opportunity costs associated with providing mother's own milk are borne by mothers. Conceptualizing mother's own milk feedings as an integral part of NICU care requires consideration of who bears the costs of MOM provision-the mother or the NICU?

Nutritional and Non-nutritional Composition of Human Milk Is Modulated by Maternal, Infant, and Methodological Factors

Human milk (HM) is dynamic and shows a high inter- and intra-individual variability. To characterize HM with precision, it is necessary to understand the factors that modulate its composition. The objective of this narrative review is to summarize the maternal, infant and methodological factors that affect HM composition. We searched SCOPUS and PubMed databases for articles related to factors that are known to or could potentially influence HM composition and volume across lactation periods. Our comprehensive review encompasses various maternal-, infant-related, and methodological factors that modulate aspects of HM composition including macro- and micronutrients, vitamins and minerals, as well as volume. The most profound changes were observed in HM lipids and lipophiles. Evidence exists for many of the infant-related factors known to affect the nutritive and non-nutritive components of HM (e.g., birth weight, gestational age, infant age/stage of lactation). In contrast, less is known with respect to maternal factors; where there is either limited research or conflicting evidence (e.g., maternal lifestyle, obstetric history, medical conditions), except for the mother's diet, for which there is a relatively well-established understanding. Equally, although many of the methodological factors (e.g., HM sampling, handling and analytics) are known to impact HM composition, few studies have investigated this as a primary outcome, making it an important area of future research in HM. Here we propose a systematic capture of numerous maternal- and infant-related characteristics to facilitate associative comparisons of HM data within and across studies. Additionally, it would be prudent to standardize the methodological aspects known to affect HM composition in analytics, not only for HM lipids and lipophiles, but also for those nutrients whose variability is yet less well-understood. Defining the factors determining HM composition with accuracy will open perspectives for maternal intervention to optimize milk composition for specific needs of infants.

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.

Measures of Secretory Activation for Research and Practice: An Integrative Review

Background: Maternal concern about inadequate milk volume commonly emerges in the first 2 weeks postpartum, a critical lactation period that includes secretory activation. This review summarizes the biology of secretory activation and evaluates the accuracy and feasibility of published measures of secretory activation. Materials and Methods: A systematic search of measures of secretory activation for mothers of healthy term and preterm infants yielded 62 abstracts. Following additional screening, 15 publications qualified for quantitative synthesis review and were evaluated with respect to accuracy (validated with another measure of secretory activation in the same mother) and feasibility (accessibility, cost, and ease of use). Results:Maternal perception of milk coming in (MP) is the most feasible measure, but its accuracy has not been established. Patterns of increase in maternal milk volume have been validated with maternal milk-borne biomarkers in breastfeeding, and breast pump-dependent mothers and normal values have been published. Accuracy of serial maternal urinary lactose concentrations has not been established for secretory activation and lacks feasibility. Maternal milk biomarkers are the accurate standard to which other measures are compared but currently lack feasibility for routine use. Conclusions: Use of secretory activation measures can personalize lactation care by matching maternal risk with appropriate diagnostics. Priorities for research and practice include validation of MP as a population-based screening tool, implementation of techniques that measure patterns of increase in milk volume for moderate risk populations, and the development of milk biomarker science for point-of-care use in the most complicated lactation scenarios.

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.

What Evidence Do We Have for Pharmaceutical Galactagogues in the Treatment of Lactation Insufficiency?-A Narrative Review

Inadequate breast milk supply is a frequently reported reason for early discontinuation of breastfeeding and represents a critical opportunity for intervening to improve breastfeeding outcomes. For women who continue to experience insufficient milk supply despite the utilisation of non-pharmacological lactation support strategies, pharmacological intervention with medications used to augment lactation, commonly referred to as galactagogues, is common. Galactagogues exert their pharmacological effects through altering the complex hormonal milieu regulating lactation, particularly prolactin and oxytocin. This narrative review provides an appraisal of the existing evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of pharmaceutical treatments for lactation insufficiency to guide their use in clinical practice. The greatest body of evidence surrounds the use of domperidone, with studies demonstrating moderate short-term improvements in breast milk supply. Evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of metoclopramide is less robust, but given that it shares the same mechanism of action as domperidone it may represent a potential treatment alternative where domperidone is unsuitable. Data on remaining interventions such as oxytocin, prolactin and metformin is too limited to support their use in clinical practice. The review provides an overview of key evidence gaps and areas of future research, including the impacts of pharmaceutical galactagogues on breast milk composition and understanding factors contributing to individual treatment response to pharmaceutical galactagogues.

A randomized interventional study to promote milk secretion during mother-baby separation based on the health belief model: A consort compliant

BACKGROUND

Breast milk is the most important nutrition for premature babies, but mothers of premature infants have difficulty in initiating and sustaining lactation. Breastfeeding infants who are separated with mothers have decreased morbidity. Nevertheless, such decrease is limited due to insufficient milk supply resulting from mother-baby separation during lac.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of intervention methods based on the health belief model on promoting the secretion of milk among mothers who were separated with their babies.

METHODS

In this prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial, we enrolled 260 separation mothers between September 26, 2016 and March 7, 2017, in a 3rd-grade women and children hospital of Chengdu. The mothers all had cesarean delivery and were randomized into 2 groups: the intervention group (educated by investigators based on the health belief) and the control group (routinely educated by obstetric nurses). Data on the onset of lactation and the milk volume during 3 days postpartum were collected. The breast swelling rate within 3 days postpartum and the exclusive breastfeeding rate at 42 days postpartum were compared. The psychologic scores of separation maternal in both groups were assessed with State-Trait Anxiety Inventory at the 3rd day postpartum.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the intervention group had significantly earlier lactation time (P < .01), significantly larger milk volume (P < .01) during 24, 24 to 48, and 48 to 72 hours, and significantly lower psychologic scores (P < .01) at the 3rd-day postpartum.The onset of lactation among mothers who initiated milk expression within 1 hour after childbirth were earlier than those who initiated milk expression between 1 and 6 hours (P < .01); the milk volume within 24-hour postpartum did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (P > .05). However, the milk volume of the early-expression group (<1 hour) was significantly higher than that of the late-expression group (1-6 hours) during 24 to 48 and 48 to72 hours (P < .05).The breast swelling rate of separation mothers within 3 days postpartum in the intervention group was lower than that in the control group (P < .05). The exclusive breastfeeding rate of mothers in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group (59% vs 35%; P < .01) at 42 days postpartum.

CONCLUSION

Nursing intervention based on the health belief model can stimulate milk secretion in mothers who were separated with their babies.

Milk Volume at 2 Weeks Predicts Mother's Own Milk Feeding at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Discharge for Very Low Birthweight Infants

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to determine the maternal prepregnancy, pregnancy, and delivery risk factors that predicted coming to volume (CTV; achieving pumped mother's own milk [MOM] volume ≥500 mLs/day) and the continuation of MOM provision through to discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in mothers and their very low birthweight (VLBW; <1,500 g at birth) infants.

STUDY DESIGN

Secondary analysis of prospectively collected data from 402 mothers of VLBW infants admitted to an urban NICU, including detailed MOM pumping records for a subset (51%) of the cohort. Analyses included inverse probability weighting, multivariate regression, and chi-square statistics.

RESULTS

In this high-risk cohort (51.2% black, 27.1% Hispanic, 21.6% white/Asian; 72.6% low income; 61.4% overweight/obese prepregnancy), CTV by day 14 was the strongest predictor of MOM feeding at NICU discharge (odds ratio [OR] 9.70 confidence interval [95% CI] 3.86-24.38, p < 0.01.). Only 39.5% of mothers achieved CTV by postpartum day 14, an outcome that was predicted by gestational age at delivery (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.15-1.73, p < 0.01), being married (OR 3.66, 95% CI 1.08-12.39, p = 0.04), black race (OR 7.70, 95% CI 2.05-28.97, p < 0.01), cesarean delivery (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.08-0.63, p = 0.01), and chorioamionitis (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.02-0.82, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

Continued provision of MOM at NICU discharge can be predicted in the first 14 postpartum days on the basis of achievement of CTV. We posit that CTV can serve as a quality indicator for improving MOM feedings in the NICU and that lactation support resources should target this early critical postbirth period.

Using quality improvement to increase human milk use for preterm infants

This review will provide an overview of quality improvement methods that have been used to improve human milk use (mother's own milk and donor milk) for very low-birth-weight infants in the hospital setting in the last decade. We will review the following: (1) evidence-based practices known to increase mother's own milk for very low-birth-weight infants; (2) individual hospitals with exemplary lactation programs and past and current US-based statewide quality improvement collaboratives focused on increasing mother's own milk; and (3) existing quality metrics for human milk and gaps in metrics. Finally, we will provide practical examples of key driver diagrams and change concepts that may be used to inform quality improvement for mother's own milk for very low-birth-weight infants.

Evidence-Based Methods That Promote Human Milk Feeding of Preterm Infants: An Expert Review

Best practices translating the evidence for high-dose human milk (HM) feeding for preterm infants during neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization have been described, but their implementation has been compromised. Although the rates of any HM feeding have increased over the last decade, efforts to help mothers maintain HM provision through to NICU discharge have remained problematic. Special emphasis should be placed on prioritizing the early lactation period of coming to volume so that mothers have sufficient HM volume to achieve their personal HM feeding goals. Donor HM does not provide the same risk reduction as own mother's HM.

ABM Clinical Protocol #10: Breastfeeding the Late Preterm (34-36 6/7 Weeks of Gestation) and Early Term Infants (37-38 6/7 Weeks of Gestation), Second Revision 2016

A central goal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine is the development of clinical protocols for managing common medical problems that may impact breastfeeding success. These protocols serve only as guidelines for the care of breastfeeding mothers and infants and do not delineate an exclusive course of treatment or serve as standards of medical care. Variations in treatment may be appropriate according to the needs of an individual patient.

Methods of milk expression for lactating women

BACKGROUND

Breastfeeding is important, however not all infants can feed at the breast and methods of expressing milk need evaluation.

OBJECTIVES

To assess acceptability, effectiveness, safety, effect on milk composition, contamination and costs of methods of milk expression.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (21 March 2016), handsearched relevant journals and conference proceedings, and contacted experts in the field to seek additional published or unpublished studies. We also examined reference lists of all relevant retrieved papers.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised and quasi-randomised trials comparing methods at any time after birth.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Three review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data and checked them for accuracy.

MAIN RESULTS

This updated review includes 41 trials involving 2293 participants, with 22 trials involving 1339 participants contributing data for analysis. Twenty-six of the trials referred to mothers of infants in neonatal units (n = 1547) and 14 to mothers of healthy infants at home (n = 730), with one trial containing mothers of both neonatal and healthy older infants (n = 16). Eleven trials compared one or more types of pump versus hand expression and 14 studies compared one type of pump versus another type of pump, with three of these studies comparing both hand expression and pump types. Twenty studies compared a specific protocol or adjunct behaviour including sequential versus simultaneous pumping protocols, pumping frequency, provision of an education and support intervention, relaxation, breast massage, combining hand expression with pumping and a breast cleansing protocol.Due to heterogeneity in participants, interventions, and outcomes measured or reported, we were unable to pool findings for most of the specified outcomes. It was not possible therefore to produce a 'Summary of findings' table in this update. Most of the included results were derived from single studies. Trials took place in 14 countries under a variety of circumstances and were published from 1982 to 2015. Sixteen of the 30 trials that evaluated pumps or products had support from the manufacturers. The risk of bias of the included studies was variable. Primary outcomesOnly one of the 17 studies examining maternal satisfaction/acceptability with the method or adjunct behaviour provided data suitable for analysis. In this study, self-efficacy was assessed by asking mothers if they agreed or disagreed with the following statement: 'I don't want anyone to see me (hand expressing/pumping)'. The study found that mothers who were using the electric pump were more likely to agree with the statement compared to mothers hand expressing, (mean difference (MD) 0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.15 to 1.25; P = 0.01, participants = 68). Mothers who were hand expressing reported that the instructions for expression were clearer compared to the electric pump, (MD -0.40, 95% CI -0.75 to -0.05; P = 0.02, participants = 68). Descriptive reporting of satisfaction in the other studies varied in the measures used, did not indicate a clear preference for one pump type, although there was satisfaction with some relaxation and support interventions.We found no clinically significant differences between methods related to contamination of the milk that compared any type of pump to hand expression (risk ratio (RR) 1.13, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.61; P = 0.51, participants = 28), manual pump compared to hand expression, (MD 0.20, 95% CI -0.18 to 0.58; P = 0.30, participants = 142) a large electric pump compared to hand expression (MD 0.10, 95% CI -0.29 to 0.49; P = 0.61, participants = 123), or a large electric pump compared to a manual pump (MD -0.10, 95% CI -0.46 to 0.26; P = 0.59, participants = 141).The level of maternal breast or nipple pain or damage was similar in comparisons of a large electric pump to hand expression (MD 0.02, 95% CI -0.67 to 0.71; P = 0.96, participants = 68). A study comparing a manual and large electric pump, reported sore nipples in 7% for both groups and engorgement in 4% using a manual pump versus 6% using an electric pump; and in one study no nipple damage was reported in the hand-expression group, and one case of nipple damage in each of the manual pump and the large electric pump groups.One study examined adverse effects on infants, however as the infants did not all receive their mothers' expressed milk, we have not included the results. Secondary outcomesThe quantity of expressed milk obtained was increased, in some studies by a clinically significant amount, in interventions involving relaxation, music, warmth, massage, initiation of pumping, increased frequency of pumping and suitable breast shield size. Support programmes and simultaneous compared to sequential pumping did not show a difference in milk obtained. No pump consistently increased the milk volume obtained significantly.In relation to nutrient quality, hand expression or a large electric pump were found to provide higher protein than a manual pump, and hand expression provided higher sodium and lower potassium compared to a large electric pump or a manual pump. Fat content was higher with breast massage when pumping; no evidence of difference was found for energy content between methods.No consistent effect was found related to prolactin change or effect on oxytocin release with pump type or method. Economic aspects were not reported.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The most suitable method for milk expression may depend on the time since birth, purpose of expression and the individual mother and infant. Low-cost interventions including initiation of milk expression sooner after birth when not feeding at the breast, relaxation, massage, warming the breasts, hand expression and lower cost pumps may be as effective, or more effective, than large electric pumps for some outcomes. Variation in nutrient content across methods may be relevant to some infants. Small sample sizes, large standard deviations, and the diversity of the interventions argue caution in applying these results beyond the specific method tested in the specific settings. Independently funded research is needed for more trials on hand expression, relaxation and other techniques that do not have a commercial potential.

Which breast pump for which mother: an evidence-based approach to individualizing breast pump technology

The majority of new mothers in the United States use breast pumps in the first 4 months postbirth in order to achieve their personal human milk feeding goals. Although these mothers seek guidance from health-care professionals with respect to the type and use of breast pumps, there are few evidence-based guidelines to guide this professional advice. This paper reviews the evidence to facilitate professional individualization of breast pump recommendations using three categories of literature: the infant as the gold standard to which the pump is compared; the degree of maternal breast pump dependency (for example, the extent to which the breast pump replaces the infant for milk removal and mammary gland stimulation); and the stage of lactation for which the pump replaces the infant. This review can also serve to inform public and private payers with respect to individualizing breast pump type to mother-infant dyad characteristics.

Pumping in One Easy Step

The assembly line approach to gathering the items needed for a woman to express her milk in the hospital setting decreases the nurse’s workload. Hopefully this new practice will help in starting mothers of preterm babies with pumping during the first hour post birth.