Remote Lactation Support in the COVID-19 Era.

Area of Science:

• Neonatal nutrition and infant development

Background:

• Breast milk is optimal for infant nourishment, particularly for preterm infants.
• Breast milk consumption is linked to reduced necrotizing enterocolitis and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
• Improved neurodevelopmental outcomes are associated with breast milk in preterm infants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of breast milk for preterm infants.
• To identify barriers faced by mothers in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) regarding breastfeeding.
• To emphasize the critical role of professional lactation support for NICU mothers.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on breast milk benefits for preterm infants.
• Identification of psychological, physical, and social/cultural barriers to breastfeeding in the NICU.
• Exploration of adapted educational and communication strategies for lactation support during the pandemic.

Main Results:

• Breast milk provides essential nutrition and developmental advantages for preterm infants.
• Mothers in the NICU encounter various barriers to successful breastfeeding.
• Novel communication methods have been adopted to sustain lactation support.

Conclusions:

• Professional lactation support is indispensable for NICU mothers.
• Adapting support methods is crucial to overcome barriers and ensure breastfeeding success.
• Continued research into effective lactation support strategies is warranted.