Variations in breastfeeding rates for very preterm infants between regions and neonatal units in Europe: results from the MOSAIC cohort

Abstract

It is possible to achieve high breastfeeding rates for very preterm infants, but rates varied widely across regions and neonatal units throughout Europe.

Early life factors associated with the exclusivity and duration of breast feeding in an Irish birth cohort study

“…Lower breast feeding rates in the NICU compared to the postnatal wards in maternity hospitals has been previously reported (Wallace et al, 2013). Previous studies investigating breast feeding rates in NICU have primarily focused on a specific neonatal population (Bonet et al, 2010;Maia et al, 2011;Lee et al, 2012) and not on a population-based cohort. We have found that admission to the NICU, independent of the reason, including preterm childbirth and low birth weight, negatively impact on breast feeding.…”

Management of Mother's Own Milk for Very Preterm Infants in Tertiary-Level Neonatal Units in the Ile-de-France Region in France

“…Units were purposely chosen to ensure geographical variability (Paris and suburbs), diverse sociocultural characteristics of the mothers (origin and social class), and variation of breastfeeding rates at discharge from the neonatal unit (high, medium, or low). 1 No unit refused to participate in the study. Interviewees were two lactation consultants, two nurses in charge of the pasteurization unit, two head nurses, two nurses, and one pediatrician.…”

“…1 Variations in practices related to the management of breastmilk in European neonatal units may explain some of these differences. We sought to describe procedures for management of mother's own milk for infants born very preterm in the Ile-de-France region and to assess how these relate to existing French regulations and guidelines.…”

“…These differences also relate to units' interpretation of regulations and guidelines. Most units implemented more restrictive practices related to fresh breastmilk management, such as milk pasteurization, regular bacteriological analysis, 1 Epidemiological Research on Perinatal Health and Women's and Children's Health, UMR S953, INSERM, Paris, France. and nonuse of frozen-thawed breastmilk, than required by current guidelines.…”

Early Use of Mother's Own Raw Milk, Maternal Satisfaction, and Breastfeeding Continuation in Hospitalised Neonates: A Prospective Cohort Study

“…In this vulnerable population, MOM provides additional advantages, reducing the risk of necrotising enterocolitis and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), enhancing enteral tolerance, protecting against infections, and improving neuro-developmental and visual outcomes [2,3,4,5,6]. Regrettably, many barriers hinder breastfeeding in hospitalised neonates, resulting in lower breastfeeding rates and durations compared with healthy neonates [7]. There is therefore a critical need for further identification of interventions supporting breastfeeding in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) [8,9].…”