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Predictors of sustained maternal milk feeds in extremely preterm infants

Journal of Perinatology volume 35, pages 367–372 (2015)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

To investigate the predictors of maternal milk feeds (MMFs) in extremely preterm (EPT) infants during neonatal stay.

Study Design:

Maternal characteristics, obstetrical data and infant characteristics were correlated to MMFs in 97 EPT infants during the first 6 weeks of life and at hospital discharge.

Result:

High MMFs (>90%) at second week predicted sustained MMFs the first 6 weeks of life; nonuniversity education and non-Nordic origin were unfavorable predictors. The proportion of MMFs the first 6 weeks of life and maternal age were positively associated with MMFs at discharge, whereas overweight was an unfavorable predictor. High MMFs at second week, assisted reproduction technology and employment were predictive factors for exclusive MMFs at discharge.

Conclusion:

High MMFs at week 2 promote sustained MMFs in EPT infants and exclusive MMFs at discharge. Mothers who are either young, overweight, non-Nordic or without university education may need special interventions to establish successful lactation.

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Acknowledgements

We thank all participating study subjects and the neonatal personnel at the Karolinska University Hospital and Stockholm South General Hospital, especially the personnel in the milk kitchen, for their invaluable contribution to the study. This paper was funded by Mjölkdroppen Foundation, HRH Crown Princess Lovisa's Foundation, Queen Silvia Jubilee Fund, Samariten Foundation, Society Barnavård, Anna Britas and Bo Castegrens Memory Foundation, Pediatric Research Foundation of Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital, Allmänna BB:s Memory Foundation and KID funding of the Karolinska Institute.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

    S Omarsdottir

  2. Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

    A Adling, A K E Bonamy, L Legnevall & M Vanpée

  3. Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

    M K Tessma

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  1. S Omarsdottir
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  2. A Adling
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  3. A K E Bonamy
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  4. L Legnevall
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  5. M K Tessma
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  6. M Vanpée
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Correspondence to S Omarsdottir.

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Omarsdottir, S., Adling, A., Bonamy, A. et al. Predictors of sustained maternal milk feeds in extremely preterm infants. J Perinatol 35, 367–372 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2014.212

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