Maternal adherence to guidance on breast milk collection process

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Neonatal Care
• Public Health

Background:

• Breast milk expression via breast pumps poses a risk of bacterial contamination.
• Decontamination methods for breast pumps remain a subject of debate.
• Ensuring the microbiological safety of expressed breast milk is critical for vulnerable infants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess maternal adherence to French guidelines for breast milk collection and pump decontamination.
• To identify sources of bacterial contamination in expressed breast milk.
• To inform improved prevention strategies for mothers.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive prospective study was conducted in a French tertiary perinatal center.
• Mothers of neonates in neonatal care, expressing milk for a human milk bank, were included.
• Adherence was assessed via questionnaires and interviews for mothers with elevated bacterial counts in breast milk.

Main Results:

• 55% of included mothers reported at least three deviations from provided guidelines.
• Common issues included improper storage (62%) and decontamination (52%) of pump kits.
• Inadequate cleaning (48%) and milk transport (31%) also contributed to contamination.

Conclusions:

• Mothers frequently diverged from breast milk collection and pump decontamination guidelines despite standardized instructions.
• Enhanced educational strategies, including repeated, clear, and illustrated guidance, are needed.
• Improved adherence can enhance the microbiological safety of expressed breast milk.