Videoconferencing with the Hospitalized Premature Infant while Expressing Milk: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Human milk supports optimal health outcomes for infants in the neonatal intensive care unit; however, expressing milk is impacted by separation, stress, and time. We examined the impact of using videoconferencing with one's infant while expressing milk on the volume, efficiency, human milk macronutrient content, and the milk expression experience.

In this randomized controlled crossover trial (NCT03957941), mothers of premature infants expressed milk three times with videoconferencing and three times without. Milk volumes and expression time were self-recorded. Experience was assessed with the Breast Milk Expression Personal Experience (BMEE) subscale. Milk samples were analyzed using the Miris Human Milk Analyzer™. Data were analyzed using a panel data fixed-effects model to estimate within-person mean differences (MDs) between study arms in human milk volume, efficiency, macronutrient content, and BMEE scores.

A total of 39 women were enrolled in the study, 28 provided milk volume and efficiency data, 26 completed BMEE scores, and 24 provided milk samples. Videoconferencing improved the milk expression experience, with mean BMEE subscale scores higher with videoconferencing (MD 0.10; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.02, 0.18; p = 0.01). There was no difference in milk volume (MD -2.5 mL; CI: -11.9, 6.9; p = 0.6) nor efficiency (MD 0.3 mL/min; CI: -0.4, 0.9; p = 0.4).

Videoconferencing with one's hospitalized premature infant improves the pumping experience. However, the use of videoconferencing was not associated with significant effects on human milk expression nor efficiency.