What supports mothers of very preterm babies to start and continue breast milk feeding neonatal units? A qualitative COM-B analysis of mothers' experiences.

ABSTRACT:

Background

It is challenging for mothers who give birth very preterm to produce sufficient breast milk by expressing for weeks before their baby is able to feed from the breast, and then to transition from tube feeding to breastfeeding. Lactation is most successful when stimulated shortly after birth, established within 72 h, and maintained by expressing 6-8 times a day. This study explored mothers' experiences of how breast milk feeding and breastfeeding for very preterm babies can be supported by staff and the facilities of a neonatal unit.

Methods

Twenty-three mothers of very preterm babies were interviewed, from four neonatal units in England with high or low rates of breast milk feeding at discharge. Interviews were analysed using the COM-B framework to consider how mot

SUBMITTER: McLeish J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11542208 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature