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Increasing Breast Milk Feeding in NICU

Increasing Breast Milk Feeding in NICU

ABSTRACT

Sandra Shead and Jean Cummings

Purpose: The benefits of breast milk feeding compared to formula feeding for preterm infants are well known. Breast milk feeding decreases rates of sepsis, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and hospital readmissions in the first year of life in preterm infants compared to those who received formula feeding. Additionally, researchers suggested that preterm infants who received human milk feedings demonstrated greater intelligence and neurodevelopmental outcomes compared to those fed formula. Therefore, the quality improvement project was designed to increase breast milk feeding in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).  Hospital practices associated with improved breast milk feeding include skin to skin contact (kangaroo care), early initiation of pumping when moms and babies are separated for medical reasons, and hospital support. Consequently, a bundle of interventions were implemented aimed at increasing breast milk feeding in NICU.
Description: The NICU Unit Practice Counsel was engaged to implement changes in nursing practices that support breast milk feeding. Initially, a staff survey of barriers to kangaroo care was distributed to nurses and respiratory therapists to assess knowledge, resources, and parent engagement related to kangaroo care. Common barriers that were identified included a lack of staff awareness of the benefits of kangaroo care, time-management, parent motivation, and an insufficient amount of equipment. Consequently, a greater number of reclining chairs, privacy screens, and footstools were obtained. A parent guide was distributed to NICU moms explaining the benefits of kangaroo care for moms and babies. Staff education was conducted which included the importance of breast milk feeding for preterm infants, the benefits of kangaroo care for moms and babies, the association between supportive NICU practices and breast feeding duration, and the importance of early initiation and frequency of breast pumping on breast milk production. Additionally, visually stimulating signs were posted to prompt parents to request kangaroo care. Lastly, informational posters were designed and posted in the family waiting room that explained the benefits of kangaroo care for parents and infants.
Outcomes: Implementing the bundle of interventions aimed at promoting breast milk feeding in NICU was strongly associated with an increase in exclusive human milk feeding at discharge in babies born with a birth weight less than 1500 grams, or a gestational age of less than 29 weeks.

December 12 2015 Holiday Gathering

Happy Holidays!                                                                                                              baby christmas

Come celebrate with us. All members were sent an email with details.

Holiday Brunch

Villa Sorriso

11am-2pm

Pasadena

 

Bring your friends!!

RSVP to Nadine by December 4, 2015

nadine.tamakawa@gmail.com

 

Hope to see you there!