Indicators of Secretory Activation in Mothers of Preterm Very Low Birth Weight Infants.

BACKGROUND: Inconsistent information exists regarding indicators of secretory activation in mothers delivering very low birth weight infants. RESEARCH AIMS: To compare time to the onset of secretory activation using three separate indicators. A secondary aim examined the association between indicators of secretory activation and milk production. METHODS: Indicators of secretory activation included maternal perception, volume attainment (production of ≥ 20 mL in two consecutive expression sessions) and biomarkers (sodium and lactose) obtained at volume attainment. Milk production was measured on Days 1-7 and then weekly for 6 weeks. RESULTS: In 69 mothers of infants born ≤ 32 weeks' gestation and < 1500 g, we found no correlation in time to secretory activation between indicators. Earlier volume attainment was associated with increased milk production on Days 1-7, 14, 21, and 28 (all p < .007). Participants who exhibited both normal lactose and sodium levels produced more milk on Days 28 and 42 (p = .028 and .011), those with only normal lactose levels produced more on Day 42 (p = .026) and those with only normal sodium levels on Day 28 (p = .036). Earlier secretory activation by volume attainment was associated with increased expression frequency during Days 2-5 (all p < .014) and participants with normal biomarkers expressed more frequently during Days 2-5 (all p < .020). CONCLUSION: Mothers of very low birth weight infants are at risk for delayed secretory activation, which may decrease their milk production. Frequent expression during the first 5 days postpartum may promote earlier secretory activation. Valid methods of determining secretory activation are necessary to develop interventions promoting earlier secretory activation.

Consumption of Mother's Own Milk by Infants Born Extremely Preterm Following Implementation of a Donor Human Milk Program: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare mothers' own milk (MOM) consumption by infants born extremely preterm before and after implementation of a donor human milk (DHM) program and determine healthcare provider's knowledge and practices regarding DHM. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred fifty-seven infants born at <30 weeks of gestation were enrolled during 3 time-periods. Group 1: before DHM program implementation, Group 2: the year following implementation, and Group 3: the second year after implementation. The proportion of feeds consisting of MOM for 6 weeks following birth was analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model. The study's second phase surveyed healthcare providers regarding knowledge and practices concerning DHM. RESULTS: Group 1 consumed feeds with a greater proportion of MOM than Group 3 during weeks 1 (P < .001) and 3 (P = .007) and more than both Group 2 (P = .033) and 3 (P = .021) in week 4. During the first 14 days, Group 1 consumed feeds with 23.6% more MOM than Group 3 (P = .002) and had a greater odds of consuming feeds with > 90% MOM (P < .001) than Group 3. During days 1-28, Group 1 consumed feeds with 22% more MOM than Group 3 (P = .003) and had greater odds of consuming feeds with >90% MOM than Group 2 (P = .020) and 3 (P = .004). Knowledge regarding DHM was inconsistent among providers and they were unlikely to communicate potential risks and benefits of DHM to mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Following implementation of a DHM program, MOM consumption decreased over 2 years. Strategies focused on lactation success are necessary to increase MOM consumption.