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Direct-Breastfeeding In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit And Breastfeeding Duration For Premature Infants, Carrie-Ellen Briere, Jacqueline M. Mcgrath, Xiaomei Cong, Elizabeth Brownell, Regina Cusson

Elaine Marieb College of Nursing Faculty Publication Series

Aim

To explore the relationship between direct-breastfeeding in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and breastfeeding duration after discharge.

Background

Initiating and maintaining breastmilk feeding is an important goal that begins in the NICU. Little is known about direct-breastfeeding in the NICU and its relation to breastfeeding duration.

Methods

Chart review of 46 infants (< 32 weeks gestational age or < 1500 grams) whose mothers provided breastmilk.

Results

One month after discharge, mothers still providing breastmilk were more likely to have provided ≥ 1 direct-breastfeed per day in the NICU (21.16, CI: 3.13–143.25, p < 0.01) and had prior breastfeeding experience (OR: 9.16, CI: 1.02–82.34, p < 0.05). At 4 months, mothers still providing breastmilk were more likely to have provided ≥ 1 direct-breastfeed per day in the NICU (OR: 12.80, CI: 1.39–118.32, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Direct-breastfeeding in the NICU may play an essential role in preparing mothers for breastfeeding after …