Effects of Instituting the “BEST Program” (Breast Milk Early Saves Trouble) in a Level III NICU

Abstract

A program is developed to increase the use of breast milk during the first week, for patients < 2 kg birth weight. This is termed the “BEST program,” using the acronym “Breast milk Early Saves Trouble.” An analysis of feeding practices and outcomes during the 12 months before versus the 12 months after implementing this program was conducted. Demographic features of the patients in the 2 periods were similar. In the “Before Intervention” period, 33% received human milk exclusively in the first 7 feeding days; 50% in the “Intervention” period (P = .009). In the Before Intervention period, 74% received some breast milk; 82% in the Intervention group (P = .046). Banked human milk increased from 2% to 33% of patients (P ≥ .001), and a trend was seen in more mothers who initially wanted to bottle-feed but subsequently changed to breastfeeding (P = .08). A trend was also seen in more infants discharged home breastfeeding (P = .09). J Hum Lact. 24(3):248-251.

Desarrollamos un programa para aumentar el uso de leche materna durante la primera semana en pacientes con < 2 kg de peso al nacer. Determinamos este el “B.E.S.T. Program”, usando el acrónimo “Leche materna temprana para evitar problemas”. Hicimos un análisis de las prácticas de lactancia y los resultados durante 12 meses antes vs 12 meses después de la implementación del programa. Las características demográficas de los pacientes en los dos periodos fueron similares. En la intervención antes del periodo, 33% recibieron leche materna exclusiva en los primeros siete días; 50% en el periodo de intervención (P = 0.009). En el período antes de la intervención, 74% recibieron leche materna; 82% en el grupo de intervención (P = 0.046). La solicitud de leche de banco aumentó de 2% a 33% de los pacientes (P ≥ 0.001), y se vio una tendencia de que mas madres que inicialmente deseaban alimentar con biberón pero subsecuentemente cambiaron a lactancia materna (P = 0.08). Una tendencia que también se observó fue que mas bebes salieron del hospital con lactancia materna (P = 0.09).

Keywords

breast milk banked donor milk low birth weight infants breastfeeding feeding outcomes

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