Effects of a breastfeeding coaching program on growth and neonatal jaundice in late preterm infants in South Korea

Purpose@#This study examined the effects of a breastfeeding coaching program for mothers on growth and neonatal jaundice in late preterm infants (LPIs). @*Methods@#This was a quasi-experimental study (non-randomized intervention) with a time-series design. The study was conducted among 40 LPIs who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of a university hospital in Daegu, South Korea. In the order of admission, the first 21 infants were assigned to the experimental group, and 19 were assigned to the control group. The intervention program consisted of home- based and web-based practical breastfeeding support education for mothers across a total of 5 sessions. Infant growth was measured using body weight, length, and head circumference, and neonatal jaundice was assessed using transcutaneous bilirubin levels. @*Results@#The likelihood of breastfeeding for infants in the experimental group at 4 weeks after discharge was the same as on the day of discharge, whereas it steadily decreased in the control group. There were significant differences in head circumference between the groups. However, weight, length, and transcutaneous bilirubin levels did not show a significant group-time interaction. @*Conclusion@#A formal breastfeeding coaching program should be considered in clinical settings and at home within the first few weeks postpartum.

Influence of a Breastfeeding Coaching Program on the Breastfeeding Rates and Neonatal Morbidity in Late Preterm Infants

Purpose@#This study aimed to determine the influence of a breastfeeding coaching program (BCP) for mothers of late preterm infants (LPIs) on the breastfeeding rate and neonatal morbidity within 1 month after discharge. @*Methods@#This was a non-randomized quasi-experimental study with a time series design. The participants were 40 LPIs and their mothers who were hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit at a university hospital. Nineteen LPIs were assigned to the control group, and 21 to the experimental group. The mothers of the LPIs in the experimental group received the BCP once on the discharge day and then once a week for 1 month. Neonatal morbidity was defined as an outpatient department or emergency room visit due to an LPI's health problem. @*Results@#The breastfeeding rate in the experimental group was significantly higher than in the control group at the fourth week after discharge (x2=7.17, p=.028). Five and two LPIs in the control group and the experimental group, respectively, visited a hospital due to neonatal jaundice. Neonatal morbidity was not significantly different between the two groups (x2=1.95, p=.164). @*Conclusion@#The BCP was useful for improving the breastfeeding rates of LPIs and may have potential to reduce neonatal morbidity.

Effects of a Breastfeeding Support Program on the Prevalence of Exclusive Breastfeeding and Growth in Late Preterm Infants

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a breastfeeding support program (BSP) on the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding and growth in late-preterm infants. @*Methods@#A quasi-experimental study was conducted. The participants were 40 late preterm infants (LPIs), of whom 20 were assigned to the experimental group and 20 to the control group. For the mothers in the experimental group, a BSP was provided prior to the LPIs’ discharge and reinforced once a week for 4 weeks. Information on the feeding type was collected by observation and the LPIs’ body weight was measured. @*Results@#There were significant differences in feeding type by group and time. Exclusive breastfeeding was 5.18 times more common in the experimental group than in the control group (odds ratio=5.18, 95% confidence interval=1.11~16.70). However, weekly weight gain did not show a significant relationship with group and time (F=0.40, p=.712). @*Conclusion@#The BSP was helpful for increasing the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in LPIs. Furthermore, the LPIs in the experimental group, which had a higher likelihood of being exclusively breastfed, showed an equivalent amount of weight gain as the LPIs in the control group, in which infants were more likely to be formula-fed.

Factors Affecting Female University Students' Intention to Store Breast Milk

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors contributing to female university nursing students' intention of breast milk storage. METHODS: Participants in the survey for this study were 680 students in 3 university of 3 cities. The data were collected using self-report structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics of a mean±sd, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and hierarchical regression analysis with SPSS/Win 22.0 programme. RESULTS: The average intention level for breast milk storage was 10.80±2.31 out of a 15 point scale, slightly over the half, which means the degree of feasibility to implement breastfeeding in the future. Based on the regression analysis of the survey results, it was found that the major factors influencing the intention to breast milk storage include attitude (β=0.39, p < 0.001), norm (β=0.34, p < 0.001), maternity nursing subject completion status (β=0.21, p < 0.001), class year (β=0.18, p < 0.001), knowledge for breast milk storage (β=0.16, p < 0.001), and smoking (β=0.06, p=0.038). These factors explained 42.7% of the female university nursing students' intention to store breast milk storage. CONCLUSION: These factors should be considered in the development of breast milk storage education programs for woman.

Prevalence and Predictors of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Late Preterm Infants at 12 Weeks

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify breastfeeding practice with late preterm infants (LPIs), and to determine predictors of exclusive breastfeeding at the 12th week after discharge. METHODS: The participants were 106 mothers of LPIs hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units at two university hospitals. Data were collected between February and October, 2013. Questionnaires included characteristics of LPIs, their mothers, and feeding-related characteristics. Feeding methods were exclusive breastfeeding, mixed feeding, and formula feeding. RESULTS: Exclusive breastfeeding steadily increased from 5.7% at the 1st week to 19.8% at the 12th week, as did formula feeding from 27.3% to 67.9%. Contrarily, mixed feeding decreased from 67.0% at the 1st week to 12.3% at the 12th week. The ratio of formula feeding was higher than that of exclusive breastfeeding over time. Predictors for exclusive breastfeeding were the following: type of delivery (OR=2.96, 95%CI=1.07-8.14), feeding intolerance (OR=3.03, 95%CI=1.26-7.25) and feeding method during hospitalization (OR=7.84, 95%CI=3.15-19.53). CONCLUSION: In order to increase breastfeeding opportunities for LPIs, educational programs for gestational age-appropriate breastfeeding should be developed. The focus of breastfeeding education needs to be on mothers who delivered their LPIs through Cesarean-section and LPIs who had feeding intolerance or were fed only formula during hospitalization.

Comparing Factors Associated with Breastfeeding in Late Preterm Infants of Different Gestational Ages

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the rate of breastfeeding and factors which affect late preterm infants' (LPIs) breastfeeding according to gestational age. METHODS: Participants were LPIs of 34 weeks (n=70), 35 weeks (n=75), and 36 weeks (n=88). Data were collected from July to December, 2011 from four university hospitals in D city. Descriptive statistics and odds ratio were used to compare three groups. RESULTS: The rate of breastfeeding at 1 week after LPIs' discharge was 32.9%, 37.3%, 23.9% at 34, 35 and 36 weeks, respectively. The tendency to breastfeed in LPIs of 34 weeks was lower for LPIs born by Cesarean-section, while it was higher for LPIs with a longer period of breastfeeding during hospitalization and higher body weight at the first day of feeding. The prevalence of breastfeeding in LPIs of 35 weeks and 36 weeks was higher for infants with a history of more frequent breastfeeding during hospitalization. CONCLUSION: The rate of breastfeeding in LPIs of 36 weeks was the lowest. This study suggests that nurses should give more customized education to mothers with LPIs of 36 weeks during their stay in hospitals.

Breast Feeding Rates and Factors Influencing Breast Feeding Practice in Late Preterm Infants: Comparison with Preterm Born at Less than 34 Weeks of Gestational Age

PURPOSE: This study was done to compare breast feeding rates and factors influencing feeding practice between late preterm (34< or =GA<37) and preterm infants (GA<34). METHODS: A survey was done of 207 late preterm and 117 preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) of 4 university hospitals in D city. Data were collected from July 2009 to June 2010 from 324 medical records in the NICU. Breast-feeding at home was checked either by telephone survey or questioning during hospital visits. RESULTS: Rate of breast feeding for late preterm infants was significantly lower than for preterm infants. There was no significant difference in breast-feeding at home. We found differences in factors influencing breast feeding between the two groups. Factors influencing feeding for late preterm infants were type of delivery, mothers' occupation, feeding type during hospitalization, time elapse from hospital discharge, total admission days, infant's body weight at first feeding and length of NPO (nothing by mouth). Factors influencing feeding for preterm infants were birth order, maternal disease and obstetric complications, and one-minute Apgar score. CONCLUSION: Results of the study show low rates of breast-feeding for late preterm infants indicating a need for breast-feeding education for mothers of these infants.

Effects of Breast-feeding Education and Support Services on Breast-feeding Rates and Infant's Growth

PURPOSE: This study was done to investigate the effects of breast-feeding education and support services on rate of breast-feeding three and six months after birth, and the effect on infant's growth (weight, height, body mass index [BMI]). The experimental group which had both education and support services was compared with the control group which had only breast-feeding education. METHODS: This study was a quasi-experimental study with a time-series design. The participants were 39 mothers who were hospitalized for childbirth. Twenty mother were assigned to the experimental group and 19 mothers, to the control group. The breast feeding education was done during hospitalization, and support services were provided once a week after discharge for a month (a total 4 times) by a maternity ward nurse. Data regarding breastfeeding rate at one month after childbirth was collected by phone call; the breast-feeding rates at three and six months after childbirth were collected in a visit to the families. The child's weight and height were also measured during the visit. RESULTS: The experimental group had a statistically significant higher rate for frequency of breast-feeding at one, three and six months after childbirth than the control group. However, there was no meaningful difference between the two groups for infant growth. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that breast-feeding education is helpful for a start, but support services are also necessary to sustain breast-feeding.

A Study on Infant Temperament and Mother-Infant Attachment of Breast-Feeding Mothers / 여성건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate infant temperament and mother-infant attachment of breast-feeding mothers with a 5 ~ 7 month old infant. METHODS: This study was descriptive research. The subjects were 258 infants and their mothers participating in 'Year 2007 Healthy Breastfed BabyContest' on September 5, 2007 and visiting a community health service center from September 1 to December 30 in 2007. The data was gathered by structured questionnaires about the Maternal Attachment Inventory (MAI) and What My baby is Like (WBL). RESULTS: The mean score of WBL was 6.75 and that of MAI was 3.88. In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between the score of infant temperament and mother-infant attachment (r = .33, p < .01). CONCLUSION: Breast-feeding mothers perceived infant's temperament as more positive, therefore, breast-feeding should be encouraged.

Effect of Postpartum Breast-feeding Support by Nurse on the Breast-feeding Prevalence / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the professional nurse's postpartum breast-feeding support on breast-feeding prevalence for mothers who delivered in Baby-Friendly Hospitals (BFH). METHODS: This quasi experimental study was designed with a nonequivalent control group post test. The subjects of this study were 55 mothers who were hospitalized in the delivery room of a university hospital which was selected as a BFH in Daegu from October 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006. Twenty nine mothers were assigned to the experimental group and 26 mothers to the control group. Postpartum breast-feeding support by nurses' telephone calls to the experimental group was provided once a week for 4 weeks postpartum and then once a month for 16 weeks postpartum. Four post tests were given at postpartum week 4, 8, 12, and 16. The control group was given a telephone call at postpartum week 4, 8, 12, and 16. RESULTS: The breastfeeding prevalence of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group for each period. CONCLUSION: Postpartum breast-feeding support by nurses may be a useful intervention to increase breast-feeding prevalence.

The Effects of Sensory Stimulation on Mother-Infant Interaction, Maternal Self-Esteem and Infant Temperament / 아동간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sensory stimulation conducted by primiparas on mother-infant interaction, maternal self-esteem and infant temperament. METHOD: A non-equivalent control group post-test study design was used. The data were collected from December 1, 2001 to March 30, 2003. The participants were 39 primiparas with normal birth weight infants. They were divided into two groups, 20 mothers in the intervention group and 19 in the control group. The mothers in the intervention group were given instruction on sensory stimulation by the researcher, and the mothers, in turn, used this technique on their infants twice a day during the first 2 months of life. Both groups were measured for maternal self-esteem and infant temperament using the maternal self-report inventory (MSRI) and What My Baby Is Like (WBL) and a film was made of the feeding situation when each infant was between 8 and 10 weeks of age. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the experimental group had significantly higher scores in mother-infant interaction, maternal self-concept and infant temperament. CONCLUSION: This suggests that sensory stimulation conducted by primiparas may improve the mother-infant interaction, maternal self-esteem and infant temperament.

Effects of Sensory Stimulation Program Conducted by Primipara on the Physical Growth and Mother-Infant Feeding Interaction for Full Term Infant / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of sensory stimulation program administered by primipara on the physical growth and mother-infant feeding interaction for the first 6 months of infancy. METHOD: Data were collected from December 1, 2001 to June 30, 2003. A total of 35 mothers and their infants were assigned to a control(n=17) and an experimental(n=18) group. Mothers in the experimental group received education related to sensory stimulation program and administered to their infants twice a day for 6 months. Both groups were measured the weight, length, head circumference and chest circumference of infants at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 18 weeks, and 22 weeks and the mother-infant feeding interaction at 6 weeks, 10 weeks through the home visiting. RESULT: Compared to the control group, the experimental group had significantly larger increases in head circumference for intervention period. In addition to, the experimental group showed significantly higher score in mother-infant interaction than control group. CONCLUSION: These data suggested that sensory stimulation program administered by primipara may improve the physical growth of full term infant and mother-infant feeding interaction.

Effects of Sensory Stimulation Program Conducted by Primipara on the Physical Growth and Mother-Infant Feeding Interaction for Full Term Infant / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of sensory stimulation program administered by primipara on the physical growth and mother-infant feeding interaction for the first 6 months of infancy. METHOD: Data were collected from December 1, 2001 to June 30, 2003. A total of 35 mothers and their infants were assigned to a control(n=17) and an experimental(n=18) group. Mothers in the experimental group received education related to sensory stimulation program and administered to their infants twice a day for 6 months. Both groups were measured the weight, length, head circumference and chest circumference of infants at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 18 weeks, and 22 weeks and the mother-infant feeding interaction at 6 weeks, 10 weeks through the home visiting. RESULT: Compared to the control group, the experimental group had significantly larger increases in head circumference for intervention period. In addition to, the experimental group showed significantly higher score in mother-infant interaction than control group. CONCLUSION: These data suggested that sensory stimulation program administered by primipara may improve the physical growth of full term infant and mother-infant feeding interaction.

The Effect of Sensory Stimulation on Mother-Infant Interaction in Premature Infants / 아동간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate effect of sensory stimulation on the mother-infant interaction in premature infants. METHOD: The subjects of this study consisted of 36 pairs of premature infants and their mothers from NICU of one university hospital located in Taegu, 18 pairs for intervention group and 18 pairs for control group. The data were collected from May, 1999 to October, 2000. For the intervention group Field's sensory stimulation(tactile and kinesthetic stimulation) was applied 2 times a day for 10 days(10:00-11:00 in the morning and 7:00-8:00 in the afternoon by researcher and mother). To determine mother and infant interaction during feeding, tool developed by Kim Mi-Ye(1999) was used. Collected data were analyzed with SAS program using chi-square test and t-test. RESULT: Significant differences were found in mother-infant interaction between two groups(t=-5.38, p=.00). It indicates that sensory stimulation was effective in improving mother-infant interaction. In the aspects of the quality of mother-infant interaction, sensory stimulation was most effective in improving sensitivity to mother and infant's synchronic behaviors(t=-5.43. p=.00) and followed by growth fostering(t=-5.07, p=.00), sensitivity to infant's cues(t=-4.53, p=.00), clarity of infant's cues(t=-3.03, p=.00) and responsiveness to the mother's behaviors(t=-2.14, p= 0.04). CONCLUSION: Based on the result of this study, it is suggested that maternally administered sensory stimulation should be applied clinical practice to improve interaction of premature infants and their mothers.