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Learning Objective 1: Identify three effective pre/post discharge interventions that improve breastfeeding outcomes among preterm infants
Learning Objective 2: Describe effectiveness of three pre/post discharge interventions that promote breastfeeding outcomes among preterm infants.
Data Sources: PubMed and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) database were searched for study selection using MeSH terms “infant/premature, breastfeeding, weight gain, patient discharge, postnatal care, and counseling”.
Study Selection: Inclusion criteria included studies which involved preterm infants who were born ≤ 37 weeks of gestation, randomized controlled trials that were in English, conducted in developed countries, and had breastfeeding and weight gain outcomes. A total of eight articles met study inclusion criteria.
Data extraction: All data related to breastfeeding outcomes including duration, exclusivity, maternal satisfaction and weight gain were extracted from the randomized clinical trials for the purpose of data synthesis.
Data Synthesis: A total of 310 studies were reviewed. Eight randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria with gestational age ranged from 23 to 37 weeks. The evidence recommended kangaroo care, peer counseling, in-home breast milk intake measurement, and post-discharge lactation support for improving breastfeeding outcomes among preterm infants. In addition, findings found improved maternal satisfaction with post-discharge interventions. No significant evidence of pre/post discharge interventions on weight gain was found.
Conclusions: Pre and post discharge interventions were effective in promoting breastfeeding outcomes and maternal satisfaction among mothers of preterm infants. These findings have important clinical implications that support the need for evidence-based breastfeeding interventions for preterm infants before discharge and vigilant post-discharge support. Research to determine more effective interventions to promote exclusive and long-term breastfeeding among preterm infants is required.