Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine if site of care influences rates of breastmilk use in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
STUDY DESIGN: Subjects included all admissions to 124 NICUs between 1/1/1999 and 12/31/2000 who were subsequently discharged home. We reviewed discharge feeding data collected during the routine provision of care, and used stepwise logistic regression analysis to identify which factors were independently associated with a neonate being discharged on some breastmilk versus none.
RESULTS: We studied 42,891 neonates; 21,327 (49.7%) were sent home receiving some breastmilk and 21,564 (50.3%) were not. The significant variables associated with being discharged on breastmilk were more mature gestational age, white race, maternal age, parents being married, and site of care. Site of care remained significant even when adjusted for other variables.
CONCLUSION: Neonates admitted to NICUs are often discharged on feedings that do not include breastmilk. Beyond previously identified risk factors, site of care significantly influences this occurrence.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $21.58 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Prices vary by article type
from$1.95
to$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
American Academy of Pediatrics. Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. American Academy of Pediatrics. Work Group on Breastfeeding. Pediatrics 1997; 100: 1035–9.
Schanler RJ . The use of human milk for premature infants. Pediatr Clin North Am 2001; 48: 207–19.
Reis BB, Hall RT, Schanler RJ, et al. Enhanced growth of preterm infants fed a new powdered human milk fortifier: a randomized, controlled trial. Pediatrics 2000; 106: 581–8.
Bier JB, Oliver TJ, Ferguson AE, Hohr BR . Human milk reduces outpatient infections in very low birth weight infants. ABM News and Views: The Newsletter of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine 2000; 6: 24
Bell RP, McGrath JM . Implementing a research-based kangaroo care program in the NICU. Nurs Clin North Am 1997; 31: 387–403.
Ehrenkranz RA, Ackerman BA, Mezger J, Bracken MB . Breast-feeding premature infants: incidence and success. Pediatr Res 1985; 19: 199A(abstract #530)
Furman L, Minich NM, Hack M . Breastfeeding of very low birth weight infants. J Hum Lactation 1998; 14(1): 29–34.
Hill PD, Ledbetter RJ, Kavanaugh KL . Breastfeeding patterns of low-birth-weight infants after hospital discharge. JOGNN 1997; 26(2): 189–97.
Lefebvre FL, Ducharme M . Incidence and duration of lactation and lactational performance among mothers of low-birth-weight and term infants. CMAJ 1989; 140: 1159–64.
Richards MT, Land MD, McIntosh C, et al. Breastfeeding the VLBW infant: successful outcome and maternal expectations. Pediatr Res 1986; 20: 383A(abstract #1385)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Powers, N., Bloom, B., Peabody, J. et al. Site of Care Influences Breastmilk Feedings at NICU Discharge. J Perinatol 23, 10–13 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7210860
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7210860
This article is cited by
-
Successful breastfeeding following a level II NICU stay in Qatar – a longitudinal study
International Breastfeeding Journal (2022)
-
Roadmap to a successful quality improvement project
Journal of Perinatology (2017)
-
Systematic review and meta-analysis of human milk intake and retinopathy of prematurity: a significant update
Journal of Perinatology (2016)
-
Direct breast-feeding in the neonatal intensive care unit: is it important?
Journal of Perinatology (2011)
-
NICU lactation consultant increases percentage of outborn versus inborn babies receiving human milk
Journal of Perinatology (2008)