Predictors of the Provision of Mother's Milk Feedings in Newborns Admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Background:

Breast milk reduces morbidity and mortality in infants admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Objectives:

We determined predictors of procuring mother's own milk (MOM) among NICU-admitted newborn–mother dyads: (1) initiation of any milk expression; (2) initiation of milk expression within 6 hours of birth; (3) MOM as the first enteral feeding; (4) colostrum for oral care within 36 hours of birth if not yet orally fed; and (5) provision of MOM at 21 days of life or discharge, whichever occurred first.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective chart review of NICU-admitted newborn–mother dyads at an urban medical center from June 1, 2018–May 31, 2019. We excluded infants not directly admitted to the NICU, those never enterally fed, multiple gestations if not the first to be discharged, and infants discharged to a nonbiological caregiver. We used chi-square analysis to examine unadjusted associations between independent variables and MOM outcomes and then used logistic regression to determine the adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (AOR [95% CI]) for predictors of MOM outcomes.

Results:

There were 341 mother–infant dyads who met inclusion criteria and 71% of these mothers initiated milk expression. Smoking, multiparity, gestational diabetes, and Hepatitis C lowered the odds for at least one MOM outcome; whereas mothers who delivered at 28–32 weeks versus ≥33 weeks, and infants with birthweight <1,500 g versus 1,500–2,500 g had higher odds for at least one MOM outcome.

Conclusion:

Maternal/infant dyad characteristics may predict some, but not all NICU breastfeeding outcomes. This suggests that hospital practices may influence these outcomes and can inform future interventions.