International Board Certified Lactation Consultants' Practices Regarding Supplemental Feeding Methods for Breastfed Infants

The Effect of Supplemental Feeding Tube Device on Time to Transition to Exclusive Breastfeeding and Discharge: A Randomized Controlled Trial with Preterm Infants

Aim: This study investigated the effect of supplemental feeding tube device (SFTD) method on time to transition to exclusive breastfeeding and discharge time in preterm infants. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit of a public hospital in Turkey (Clinical Trial Number: NCT05815706). The sample consisted of 65 preterm infants randomized into a control (n = 32) and an experimental (n = 33) group. The experimental group participants were SFTD-fed until they switched to exclusive breastfeeding. The control group participants were fed according to the routine procedure. Data were collected using a questionnaire, a Preterm Infant Monitoring Form, and the LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool. The data were analyzed using numbers, percentage distributions, means, standard deviations, Pearson's chi-square test, and independent samples t-test. The study was approved by an Ethics Committee. Permission was obtained from the hospital. Informed consent was obtained from all parents. Results: The experimental group (123.64 ± 63.25 hours) demonstrated an earlier transition to exclusive breastfeeding compared with the control group (187.50 ± 95.30 hours) (p < 0.05). The experimental group (361.45 ± 110.46 hours) had significantly shorter hospital stays than the control group (479.25 ± 163.17 hours). The experimental group (35.33 ± 1.14 weeks) had a significantly younger gestational age at discharge than the control group (35.97 ± 1.03 weeks). Conclusion: The SFTD is an alternate supportive feeding method that helps preterm infants switch to exclusive breastfeeding sooner, have shorter hospital stays, and have a younger gestational age at discharge than their bottle-fed counterparts.

Use of a Supplemental Feeding Tube Device and Breastfeeding at 4 Weeks

BACKGROUND

Mothers having difficulty breastfeeding their infants may use alternative supportive feeding methods. Although a supplemental feeding tube device is commonly used, efficacy for supporting sustained breastfeeding remains unknown.

PURPOSE

To describe supplemental feeding tube device use by breastfeeding mothers as an alternative feeding method through exploration of associations between supplemental feeding tube device use and continued breastfeeding at 4 weeks of infant's age.

METHOD

Forty mothers participated. They were interviewed during the birth hospitalization and at 4 weeks postpartum. Questions addressed use of supplemental feeding tube devices, breastfeeding issues, and continued breastfeeding relationships. We examined the relationship between LATCH scores at 2 to 3 days of life.

RESULTS

Breastfeeding mothers who chose to supplement with bottle-feeding instead of use of a supplemental feeding tube device were 30% less likely to continue breastfeeding at a medium/high/exclusive level.

CONCLUSION

Use of the supplemental feeding tube device may help avoid the potentially detrimental effect of bottle-feeding on continued breastfeeding.

The Effects of Oral Feeding Methods in Preterm Infants on Transition to Direct-Breastfeeding and Discharge Time: A Retrospective Cohort Design

BACKGROUND

The most common alternatives in feeding preterm infants are bottle feeding and cup feeding. However, there is no clear and precise clinical evidence to show the superiority of a single method. New studies are needed to eliminate confusion on this subject.

AIM

The effects of oral feeding methods on the transition to direct-breastfeeding and length of stay in preterm infants.

METHODS

This retrospective study was carried out in a single NICU. Data was collected from the digital records and correlated the effects of bottle feeding and cup feeding. One hundred fifty-eight preterm infants (30–34 weeks) met the inclusion criteria. Seventy-eight of them were bottle-fed, and eighty of them were cup-fed.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis (Mann-Whitney U test and t-test) has shown that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (bottle & cup) in terms of transition to direct-breastfeeding and length of hospital stay (p > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

As a result of the current study, both feeding methods are equally effective and can be used as alternative oral feeding methods.

What Does It Mean to Be Breastfed? A Concept Analysis in the Context of Healthcare Research, Clinical Practice, and the Parent Perspective

Over the past 3 decades, there have been attempts to define breastfeeding for scientific research. However, a lack of clarity remains, with concurrent ambiguity in clinical practice and insufficient inclusion of the parent perspective. Furthermore, previous concept analyses of "breastfeeding" may not fully represent what it means for an infant to be breastfed. Therefore, this concept analysis sought to define "breastfed" in the context of Western healthcare research, clinical practice, and the parent perspective. Informed by Rodgers' evolutionary method, a literature search resulted in 16 representative articles, with related terms, attributes, antecedents, and consequences identified. Analysis of the literature resulted in a theoretical definition of breastfed as a valuable process, experience, or characteristic that involves human milk consumption by an infant through a variety of delivery methods. To be breastfed relies on the existence of lactation, whether from a parent or another source, and depends upon the intentional decision of a birthing person, caregiver, or provider. It is recommended that healthcare providers and institutions adopt this inclusive definition, committing to a linguistic and conceptual distinction between a breastfed infant and direct breastfeeding. Increased clarity may improve comparability between studies, reporting to government agencies, provider communication, and supportive, family-centered care.