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Breastfeeding outcomes in European NICUs: impact of parental visiting policies

Marina Cuttini1, Ileana Croci1, Liis Toome2,3

  • 1Clinical Care and Management Innovation Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.

Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition
|June 30, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Liberal parental policies in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) significantly increase the likelihood of breastfeeding for very preterm infants at discharge. More supportive policies are linked to higher rates of exclusive maternal milk feeding and direct breastfeeding.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal care and infant nutrition
  • Public health and healthcare policy

Background:

  • Maternal milk offers documented benefits for very preterm infants.
  • Hospital policies promoting breastfeeding are of increasing interest.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if more liberal parental policies in neonatal units are associated with increased breastfeeding at discharge.
  • To assess the relationship between parental presence policies and infant feeding outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, area-based cohort study was conducted in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) across 11 European countries.
  • Data included 4407 very preterm infants discharged alive.
  • Parental Presence Scores (PPS) were calculated based on unit policies, and feeding outcomes (any/exclusive maternal milk, any/exclusive direct breastfeeding) were assessed at discharge.

Main Results:

  • Policies varied significantly within and across countries regarding visiting hours, duration, and overnight stays.
  • Infants in units with liberal parental policies (PPS≥7) were approximately twice as likely to be discharged with exclusive maternal milk feeding.
  • These infants also showed a significantly higher likelihood of exclusive direct breastfeeding at discharge.

Conclusions:

  • Unit policies that promote parental presence and involvement in care are associated with increased breastfeeding success for very preterm infants.
  • Implementing more liberal parental policies may be a key strategy to improve breastfeeding outcomes in neonatal care.
Abstract

Keywords:
maternal milkparental involvementvery preterm infants;

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