Abstract
A pilot project was conducted to assess current practices related to feeding pretermneonates with expressed breast milk. The present project was conducted with the objectives to assess current practices related to feeding preterm neonates with expressed breast milk admitted in tertiary level hospital, North India. Practices related to expressed breast milk feeding in preterm neonates was assessed in 4 steps. In step one of Information and current practices related to expression of breast milk among mothers was assessed. Practices in neonatal unit revealed that 92% of mothers had knowledge about feeding schedule of babies. In context to infection control practices 96% mothers washed hands, 92% wore gown, and all mothers (100%) used boiled utensils. Eighty two percent mothers expressed milk at least eight times in 24hour including once during night. Feeding detail of preterm neonates revealed that amount of expressed breast milk fed was very less as compare to enteral feed calculated per day
Highlights
The premature babies face number of problems due to their immature physiology
If we talk about composition of human milk it contains 8% to 9% protein, 4.5% fat, 7.1% carbohydrates mainly lactose, 0.2% minerals [3] and IgA which is high from day 10th up to 7.5 month post partum [4]
In case of preterm neonates it is big challenge to provide adequate nutrition to infants due to several problems such as immaturity like bowel function, inability to suck and swallow, high risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), respiratory distress syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus [7] in addition to this medical interventions such as umbilical vessel catheters, exchange transfusion, indomethacin therapy which increases the problems of these babies (Table 1)
Summary
The premature babies face number of problems due to their immature physiology. Hypothermia, respiratory distress syndrome, neonatal jaundice, infection, hypoglycemia and necrotizing enteritis etc [1]. In case of preterm neonates it is big challenge to provide adequate nutrition to infants due to several problems such as immaturity like bowel function, inability to suck and swallow, high risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), respiratory distress syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus [7] in addition to this medical interventions such as umbilical vessel catheters, exchange transfusion, indomethacin therapy which increases the problems of these babies (Table 1). Copyright © Avinash kaur Rana enterocolitis (NEC), chronic lung disease (CLD), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), developmental and neurocognitive delay, and re hospitalization after NICU discharge [8,9,10,11], breast milk contains immunoglobulins, phagocytes and enzymes such as lysozymes, antibodies and vitamin K which protect infant from infection [12]. Timing of Expression No gaps longer than 4 hours(day times) No gaps longer than 6 hours(night time)
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