281119
Relationship between social support and the initiation and success of breast milk expression among mothers of premature infants at social-environmental risk
Methods: Maternal interview data and daily infant data on proportion of nutrition from BM during hospitalization were analyzed from a larger randomized trial testing a developmental intervention on 181 mother-premature infant dyads with at least two of ten social-environmental risks. Multivariable log-binomial regression examined the relationship between social support (PRQ-2000; dichotomized as low for lowest quartile), initiation (Any BM expressed vs. None), and success in BM expression (Mothers with babies consuming less than 30% BM during hospitalization were categorized as Low). All models adjusted for race, language preference, age-appropriate education, hospital site, infant morbidity at delivery, and gestational age.
Results: 70.3% of mothers initiated BM expression, and 32% of those mothers expressed low proportions of BM. In adjusted multivariable analyses, social support did not differ between mothers who initiated BM expression and those who did not (p > 0.10). Low social support was significantly associated with low proportions of BM expressed for those who initiated (adjusted Prevalence Ratio: 1.58, 95% CI = 1.00 – 2.50).
Conclusions: Low social support was significantly associated with low proportions of BM expressed during hospitalization among a sample of socially-disadvantaged mothers of premature infants. Interventions designed to enhance social support for new mothers of premature infants may increase long-term breastfeeding success.
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Describe the relationship between social support and the initiation and success of breast milk expression among socially disadvantaged mothers of premature infants
Keywords: Breastfeeding, Maternal Well-Being
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the project director on this federally-funded multi-site research, which is assessing the impact of a developmental intervention on mother-premature infant dyads. I also have research interests in maternal and child health, particularly maternal health behaviors, birth outcomes, psycho-social & social determinants of health, and international women’s health.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.