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Breast Feeding VLBW Infants
Correlates of Lactation in Mothers of Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) Infants. Furman L, Minich N, and Hack M. Pediatrics (April 2002); 109:e57.
This is a prospective observational study of 119 mothers of singleton VLBW infants, 87 (73%) of whom intended to breastfeed. The mothers completed questionnaires at 3 weeks postnatal age, and at 35 and 40 weeks and 4 months corrected age (CA). Thirty (34%) of the mothers who intended to breastfeed continued lactation beyond 40 weeks CA. Compared to the mothers who discontinued lactation before this time, those who continued were older (31 vs 26 years), more were married (80% vs 39%), they had more than a high school education (70% vs 42%), and they were white (63% vs 35%). Significant correlates of lactation beyond 40 weeks CA included beginning milk expression before 6 hours post-delivery, expressing milk more than 4 times per day, and kangaroo care. These correlates remained significant after controlling for maternal age, race, marital status, and education beyond high school.
Comment. Despite awareness of the many advantages of breast milk for preterm infants, a majority of the mothers of these infants are unable or unwilling to express their milk for the weeks or months necessary to achieve successful transition to breast feeding. Mothers of premature infants who choose to breastfeed need to be provided with the education and support necessary to be successful. This article gives some insight into keys for success with this process. These include early (within 6 hours of delivery) and frequent (> 4 times/day) milk expression, and kangaroo care.
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