Mothers' experiences of initiating breastfeeding in the neonatal & paediatric intensive care unit (NPICU).

Abstract

This study set out to explore mothers' experiences of initiating breastfeeding in the Neonatal and Paediatrics Intensive Care Unit (NPICU). The objectives for this study were to explore what mothers found helpful during the initiation of breastfeeding and the difficulties they encountered in doing so. To achieve this aim, a quantitative approach using a questionnaire as the research tool was employed. The questionnaire was administered to 24 mothers that met the inclusion criteria. Participants were mothers of infants admitted within 48 hours of birth, who were breastfeeding or expressing breast milk for their infants. Mothers were chosen by convenience sampling. The final sample consisted of 23 mothers, achieving a response rate of 96%. Data was systematically analysed manually using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Findings showed that all mothers expressed breast milk to initiate breastfeeding, with six also latching the baby directly to the breast. The main difficulty experienced by mothers was low milk volume. During the initiation of breastfeeding, mothers felt supported by their husband/partner, midwives and nurses. Ways of providing support included words of encouragement and advice regarding breastfeeding. On the other hand when a difficulty with breastfeeding arose, midwives at obstetric wards were reported by mothers to be more supportive than midwives at the NPICU. Mothers also found the attitude of the staff at the NPICU, the facilities and the information provided regarding breastfeeding initiation very helpful. Results were discussed and compared to other similar studies. In view of the above findings, some recommendations for practice, education and research were suggested. These include the need of addressing initiation of breastfeeding in antenatal classes, public health promotion and a written breastfeeding policy for infants admitted to the NPICU. Also, the need of providing educational programs for midwives and nurses, providing the opportunity of co-care to parents and earlier direct latching if cardiorespiratory stability is achieved also emerged. Finally repeating the study by either using a quantitative approach and recruiting a larger sample or by adopting a qualitative approach to data collection, allowing for further depth into mothers' experiences.