Exclusive Breastfeeding of a Premature Infant Following Maternal Administration of Chemotherapy for Bowel Cancer: A Case Study

Abstract

Introduction:

The provision of human milk is a key contributing factor to overall health outcomes for premature infants, but the process of human milk provision, and subsequent breastfeeding, presents many challenges for parents. The additional trauma of a cancer diagnosis during pregnancy, followed by premature delivery of an infant, may mean exclusive breastfeeding is unachievable. In Aotearoa New Zealand, there is a high rate of human milk use for infants admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units. Here we present the case of a mother who exclusively breastfed her premature infant, whilst undergoing chemotherapy for treatment of cancer.

Main Issue:

The navigation of the processes required to help facilitate safe use of human milk, and subsequent exclusive breastfeeding, for a premature infant whose mother was receiving chemotherapy for cancer.

Management:

Multidisciplinary collaboration involving the obstetric, oncology, pharmacy and neonatal teams, and International Board Certified Lactation Consultants, enabled the participant to provide colostrum for infant mouth care, establish human milk supply by hand expressing and pumping, facilitate skin-to-skin care, safely manage human milk during chemotherapy, and establish exclusive breastfeeding for their premature infant.

Conclusion:

Successful exclusive breastfeeding is achievable on a case-by-case basis for a premature infant whose mother received treatment for cancer. The International Board Certified Lactation Consultant played a major role in the facilitation of this process. Given the increasing incidence of bowel cancer in younger people, it is anticipated that there will be increased consultations of this nature in the future.