Lack Of Support Means Premature And Sick Babies Are Missing Out On Their Mothers' Milk, UK

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Also Included In: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Article Date: 13 May 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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New research released by BLISS shows that some new mothers of premature or sick babies are unable to breastfeed because they do not receive the advice and support they need.

38% of mothers that took part in a BLISS survey did not breastfeed, even though almost all of them were aware of the benefits of breast milk for their baby, and most of them expressed milk to begin with. Whilst in some cases this may have been because breastfeeding was impossible, a significant proportion (17%) said that it was due to a lack of support from staff.

12% of those that were asked were said that no one showed them how to position and attach their baby to the breast, and only 36% were told about the problems they might encounter and how to overcome them. 34% of those asked said they were not helped to have skin-to-skin contact with their baby, even though it is widely accepted that this can help stimulate milk production and is important for making the transition from expressing to breastfeeding. Only 28% of those asked were shown how to hand express (important for initiating milk production and obtaining valuable first drops of colostrum) and only 21% had access to portable pumps for cot-side expressing.

Even more worryingly, 5% of the respondents reported that they felt under pressure from hospital staff to stop breastfeeding and give their baby bottles. Feeding a baby by bottle is physically more challenging for a baby, more time consuming for the mother, and does not enable the close contact that breastfeeding provides.

New mothers of premature babies may have missed out on antenatal classes, and are likely to be going through a very traumatic and stressful time. As a result, it is essential that they receive dedicated and specialised support and advice to help them to express their milk soon after birth, and to make the transition to breastfeeding. This support should include advice on how and when to express, access to the necessary equipment and facilities, help with having skin-to-skin contact with the baby, and advice on when and how to start breastfeeding.

If mothers of sick or premature babies are not adequately informed and supported, their milk supply can dry up quickly, or may never be properly established. If this happens, they are denied the opportunity to provide their baby with a unique and invaluable source of nutrition.

It is now widely accepted that a mother's breast milk is the best possible source of food for all babies, but premature babies may reap even more benefits from having their mother's milk, as their immune system may be underdeveloped and they may be particularly susceptible to infections and nutrient deficiencies. Breast milk may also improve their developmental outcomes and promote bonding between mother and baby when there has been little opportunity for close contact early on.

Andy Cole, Chief Executive of BLISS, commented: "Providing breast milk is something incredibly positive a new mum can do for her premature or sick baby at what can be a stressful and overwhelming time. It is essential that mothers get the necessary support to do this. By ensuring that a mother has the best possible chance of successfully expressing and breastfeeding, doctors and nurses are helping to ensure the best outcome for her baby."

To help hospital staff encourage new mothers to express soon after birth, and to raise awareness of the importance of hand expression techniques, BLISS is launching an appeal for people to make and donate knitted breasts that are used to teach mothers how to express milk by hand. With the kind support of Candis and Medela, BLISS is also donating 110 portable swing pumps to neonatal units across the UK, to encourage cot-side expression.

BLISS is also writing to all neonatal units with a list of recommendations designed to help them improve their procedures for supporting mothers who want to breastfeed and/or express milk for their premature or sick babies.

80,000 babies are born sick or premature every year in the UK and this figure is rising. BLISS exists to make sure these babies have the best possible start in life, and that their parents and families are supported at what can be a very traumatic and stressful time.

Notes

Case studies are available to speak about their experiences. Contact Amy Edmunds as above if you would like to speak to a case study.

The findings were drawn from a survey of parents that was live on BLISS's website from early March to May this year. Paper copies were also distributed to all the neonatal units in the UK.

The results of the survey (Expressing and breastfeeding for a premature or sick baby: 500 women's experiences) can be found on the BLISS website http://www.bliss.org.uk

For more information on the knitted breast appeal, and other BLISS activities during National Breastfeeding Awareness Week, visit http://www.bliss.org.uk

BLISS - the premature baby charity was founded in 1979 and is dedicated to making sure that more babies born prematurely or sick in the UK survive and that each one has the best quality of life. It seeks to achieve this through supporting new developments and innovations in care; supporting parents and carers of premature and sick newborn babies; and campaigning for improvements in neonatal care. http://www.bliss.org.uk

Parents needing advice on financial issues related to the premature birth of their baby can call the BLISS Family Support Helpline for information, advice and support on FREEPHONE 0500 618140.

http://www.bliss.org.uk