Breastfeeding promotion for infants in neonatal units: a systematic review

Abstract

Breastfeeding/breastmilk feeding is promoted by close, continuing skin-to-skin contact between mother and infant, effective breastmilk expression, peer support in hospital and community, and staff training. Evidence gaps include health outcomes and costs of intervening with less clinically stable infants, and maternal health and well-being. Effects of public health and policy interventions and the organization of neonatal services remain unclear. Infant feeding in neonatal units should be included in public health surveillance and policy development; relevant definitions are proposed.

Assessing clinicians' knowledge and confidence to perform kangaroo care and positive touch in a tertiary neonatal unit in England using the Neonatal Unit Clinician Assessment Tool (NUCAT)

“…The role of on--site developmental care specialists in providing education and support has been shown to improve clinicians' beliefs related to the effective areas of FCC and the practice of KC (Hendricks--Munoz et al, 2010). Guidelines and policies relating to KC and PT have been shown to be effective in increasing breastfeeding rates when introduced to NICU (Renfrew et al, 2009). Barriers to providing KC, such as a lack of sufficient numbers of trained clinicians, insufficient education and lack of clear protocols have been identified in our study and concur with findings from an Australian survey of NICU nurses in Melbourne, Australia (Chia et al, 2006).…”

“…Through supporting and educating parents in the practices of kangaroo care (KC) and positive touch (PT) neonatal staff can facilitate parental involvement, enhance the bonding process and minimise parental and infant distress (Hunt, 2008;Cleveland, 2008;Renfrew et al, 2009). …”

“…A systematic review of interventions to promote or inhibit breastfeeding or breast milk feeding for infants admitted to NICUs found the additional practice of KC over routine care was associated with a higher breastfeeding rate, increased breast milk production, longer duration of lactation and an improvement in exclusivity of breast milk feeding both in hospital and post discharge (Renfrew et al, 2009). Amongst LBW infants, KC may have benefits compared to conventional neonatal care including increased likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding at discharge, reduced risk of nosocomial infection and severe illness, reduced risk of respiratory tract disease and an increased self--reported maternal competence (Conde--Agudelo and Belizan, 2003).…”

Breastfeeding After a Cesarean Delivery

“…Studies conducted since 1980 have found that babies exposed to skin-to-skin contact with their mothers after birth successfully seek the breast, grasping it and suckling without any help from mother (Bystrova et al, 2009;Renfrew et al, 2010).…”

Biological and Nutritional Aspects of Human Milk in Feeding of Preterm Infants

“…Health care workers should be trained in breastfeeding issues and counseling, and they should encourage practices that do not undermine breastfeeding. It is a health care paradox that breastfeeding is not adequately promoted and supported for preterm newborn infants admitted to NICU [54].…”