Factors influencing the provision of human milk feeding support for preterm infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Units in China: a qualitative study of neonatal nurses' perspectives.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Human milk feeding is crucial for the survival and development of preterm infants, yet their human milk feeding rates at Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) discharge remain lower than those of healthy newborns. Effective support is essential for improving breast milk feeding outcomes, but remains challenging for NICU nurses. Therefore, this study aimed to examine factors that influence NICU nurses in providing human milk feeding support, including the challenges they face and their needs.

Methods

This study employed a qualitative descriptive design. Using maximum variation and purposive sampling, 19 nurses in the NICU were recruited. Between August and September 2024, semi-structured interviews were conducted in the NICUs of two tertiary public hospitals in Jia

SUBMITTER: Guo W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12606931 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature