Title : The effect of structured antepartum lactation consultation on exclusive human milk feeding for preterm infants
Abstract:
The benefits of human milk feeding for preterm infants are substantial, but the mothers of preterm infants face challenges in initiating and sustaining lactation. They often experience physical and emotional stress after admission of their child to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, which may impair the effectiveness of postnatal instruction on lactation benefits and techniques. We asked if a structured antepartum lactation consultation could improve the rate of exclusive human milk feeding for infants born below 34 weeks gestation. We conducted a retrospective cohort study in which we compared the rates of exclusive human milk feeding between mothers who received informal antepartum consultation in 2022–2023 (n=63) with those who received structured antepartum consultation in 2024 (n=34). The structured program included a standardized intake form and checklist addressing lactation history, education, and emotional support. Exclusive human milk feeding was assessed at 30 days or discharge, whichever came first. Our results were that the overall rate of exclusive human milk feeding was 76% in the structured group vs 57% in the informal group (p=0.06), and the increase in exclusive human milk feeding was significant among nulliparous women (from 58% to 88%, p=0.03). These findings suggest that structured antepartum lactation education increases exclusive human milk feeding for mothers of preterm infants, particularly those without prior lactation experience. The study supports broader implementation of structured antenatal lactation consultation for high-risk pregnancies.
