Outcomes of a Breast Pump Combining Compression and Vacuum Technology in Exclusively Pumping Mothers of VLBW Infants in the NICU

Abstract

Objective:To determine whether exclusively pumping mothers of very low birth weight (VLBW) neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) infants could achieve adequate milk production using the PJ’s Comfort®multiuser breast pump, with its compression and vacuum technology and flexible silicone breast cup.Methods:We employed a single-site, convenience sample, 24-month, prospective, nonexperimental, descriptive study in NICU mothers of VLBW infants who were asked to complete a pumping log for 15 days.Results:Of mothers with complete pumping logs (36/51), the mean time to first pumping was 9.5 hours and the mean number of pumping sessions was 7.4/24 hours. By day 15, 83% reached a milk volume of ≥350 mL/day, 66% reached ≥500 mL/day, and 29% reached ≥700 mL/day. Comments regarding the comfort, ease of use, and features of the pump were very favorable.Conclusions:Using current technologies, PJ’s Comfort®is a cost-effective option for establishing adequate milk production in mothers of VLBW infants in the NICU.