{"title":"An Examination of the Benefits of Lactation Consultant Services in NICUs for Mothers and Their Newborn: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Siobhan Wakeham, Paulina Pronska, Sandra Fucile","doi":"10.1089/bfm.2023.0158","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Background:</i></b> It is well accepted that lactation consultant (LC) services can enhance the breastfeeding success in mother-infant dyads. However, despite such advantages, not all neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) offer LC services. The objective of this systematic review was to assess the available evidence on the effect of LC service on breastfeeding outcomes for mothers whose infants are in the NICU. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The PRISMA Extension for Systematic Reviews were used to conduct this systematic review. The following databases: Embase, Medline, CINAHL, and Cochrane library were searched. An initial 464 studies were obtained. Duplicates and studies that did not fit the inclusion criteria were removed, leaving 30 full-text articles to review. Nineteen were further excluded after full-text review. A total of 11 studies were included. Due to the heterogeneity of the included studies, a meta-analysis could not be performed, instead a qualitative numerical summary was conducted. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Overall, 10/11 (90%) of studies observed a 6-31% increase in the number of infants who received mother's own milk, and 11-27% in the number of infants who received direct breastfeeds associated with the implementation of LC services in the NICU. The two most common types of LC services studied included: i) multidisciplinary lactation support-described as a team-based approach that includes at least one LC and ii) designation of LC formal role in the NICU. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> This review highlights that having LC services in the NICU is vital for meeting the unique needs and enhancing breastfeeding outcomes for mothers whose infants are in the NICU.</p>","PeriodicalId":9142,"journal":{"name":"Breastfeeding Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1000,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Breastfeeding Medicine","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2023.0158","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2024/8/21 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: It is well accepted that lactation consultant (LC) services can enhance the breastfeeding success in mother-infant dyads. However, despite such advantages, not all neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) offer LC services. The objective of this systematic review was to assess the available evidence on the effect of LC service on breastfeeding outcomes for mothers whose infants are in the NICU. Methods: The PRISMA Extension for Systematic Reviews were used to conduct this systematic review. The following databases: Embase, Medline, CINAHL, and Cochrane library were searched. An initial 464 studies were obtained. Duplicates and studies that did not fit the inclusion criteria were removed, leaving 30 full-text articles to review. Nineteen were further excluded after full-text review. A total of 11 studies were included. Due to the heterogeneity of the included studies, a meta-analysis could not be performed, instead a qualitative numerical summary was conducted. Results: Overall, 10/11 (90%) of studies observed a 6-31% increase in the number of infants who received mother's own milk, and 11-27% in the number of infants who received direct breastfeeds associated with the implementation of LC services in the NICU. The two most common types of LC services studied included: i) multidisciplinary lactation support-described as a team-based approach that includes at least one LC and ii) designation of LC formal role in the NICU. Conclusions: This review highlights that having LC services in the NICU is vital for meeting the unique needs and enhancing breastfeeding outcomes for mothers whose infants are in the NICU.
期刊介绍:
Breastfeeding Medicine provides unparalleled peer-reviewed research, protocols, and clinical applications to ensure optimal care for mother and infant. The Journal answers the growing demand for evidence-based research and explores the immediate and long-term outcomes of breastfeeding, including its epidemiologic, physiologic, and psychological benefits. It is the exclusive source of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine protocols.
Breastfeeding Medicine coverage includes:
Breastfeeding recommendations and protocols
Health consequences of artificial feeding
Physiology of lactation and biochemistry of breast milk
Optimal nutrition for the breastfeeding mother
Breastfeeding indications and contraindications
Managing breastfeeding discomfort, pain, and other complications
Breastfeeding the premature or sick infant
Breastfeeding in the chronically ill mother
Management of the breastfeeding mother on medication
Infectious disease transmission through breast milk and breastfeeding
The collection and storage of human milk and human milk banking
Measuring the impact of being a “baby-friendly” hospital
Cultural competence and cultural sensitivity
International public health issues including social and economic issues.