Preterm Infants' Mothers' Experiences With Milk Expression and Breastfeeding: An Integrative Review
Riikka Ikonen1, Eija Paavilainen, Marja Kaunonen
1School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland (Ms Ikonen and Drs Paavilainen and Kaunonen); Etelä-Pohjanmaa Hospital District, Seinäjoki, Finland (Dr Paavilainen); and Pirkanmaa Hospital District, General Administration, Tampere, Finland (Dr Kaunonen).
Background:
Preterm infants' mothers face several challenges when providing critical breast milk for their infants; therefore, sensitive and evidence-based counseling and support are needed. However, a general view of the experiences preterm infants' mothers can face during their infants' hospitalization and after discharge is lacking.
Purpose:
The aim of this integrative review was to explore practical and emotional experiences of preterm infants' mothers with respect to breast milk expression and breastfeeding, from the birth of the preterm infant, during the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay, and postdischarge until the cessation of breastfeeding.
Methods/Search Strategy:
A systematic literature search from MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and Cochrane databases were performed. The search resulted in 20 qualitative and 3 quantitative studies. The data were analyzed by thematic analysis.
Findings:
Coping was the central theme in mothers' experiences. The benefits of breast milk served both as a supportive factor and an obstructive factor for the mothers, and breastfeeding was used to rebuild connection and motherhood. Simultaneously, the mothers needed to cope with new demands, interfering NICU environment, demanding expressing, and difficulties with breastfeeding.
Implications For Practice:
Expressing and breastfeeding are important for the mothers to contribute to their infants' care and to rebuild the interrupted connection. Evidence-based and sensitive informational and practical counseling are vital for the mothers. Intensive emotional support is important during encountered problems and during cessation.
Implications For Research:
Future research is needed about mothers' experiences using supplementation methods, test-weighing, exploring experiences of mothers of late-preterm infants, and the validity of the concept of coping with this phenomenon.
Related Concept Videos
Development of Human Microbiota
Development of the Oral Microbiota
Development of Immunocompetence
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
The Mammary Glands
Each breast features a pigmented projection known as the nipple, through which milk emerges via closely spaced openings of ducts, referred to as lactiferous ducts. Surrounding the nipple is a circular pigmented area of skin named the areola, which appears rough due to...
Imprinting
Attachment


