Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Laura Duckett, PhD, MPH, RN, School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, 5160 Weaver-Densford Hall, 308 Harvard Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, 612-624-9160, ducke001@umn.edu, Richard C. Lussky, MD, FAAP, Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Hennepin County Medical Center, 701 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55415-1829, and Sue Meeks, BSN, RN, Newborn Intensive Care Unit, Hennepin County Medical Center, 701 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55415-1829.

Mother's own milk (MOM) is the food of choice for premature infants because of its nutritional properties and host protective factors. Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (< 1500 grams) are particularly vulnerable and have the greatest need of all infants for optimal feedings. A sub-sample of 40 VLBW infants was identified in a larger sample of all premature infants (N = 148) admitted to a Midwestern, inner city NICU during 2004. The purpose of this project was to describe MOM feeding initiation and continuation until discharge, and associated variables, among these 40 infants. Five research questions guided this project. All data were collected from infant hospital records by research assistants who were also NICU RNs. MOM feedings were initiated for 26 (65%) of the 40 infants. Only 12 of these infants were receiving any MOM feedings at the time of NICU discharge. Patterns of MOM feedings on the last full day before discharge differed considerably among these 12 infants. Being foreign born (African and Mexican) was significantly associated with initiation and continuation of MOM feeding. African American and American Indian mothers were less likely than other mothers to initiate or continue MOM feedings. Only one of the 11 twins in the sub-sample was receiving any MOM feedings at discharge. The mothers' parity was not significantly associated with either initiation or continuation of MOM feedings. These findings can be used to identify and assist mothers willing to provide for MOM feedings who may need and benefit from targeted, individualized intervention.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe mother's own milk (MOM) feeding initiation and continuation until discharge among very low birth weight infants admitted to a Midwestern, inner city NICU in 2004.
• Describe factors associated with MOM feeding initiation and continuation in the sample.

Keywords: Breast Feeding, Low Birthweight

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered