Effect of antenatal expression of breast milk at term in reducing breast feeding failures

Abstract

Background: Though breast feeding is natural, during the first 2–3 days, when enough breast milk is not available with mother, she may introduce bottle feeding erroneously for improving nutrition to her baby. We studied the effect of antenatal expression of breast milk at term in reducing breast feeding failure as compared to conventional method of initiation of breast feeding. Methods: A prospective study was carried out in 180 booked cases at term. Daily expression of breast milk at least once a day after 37 weeks of pregnancy was introduced in randomly selected 90 pregnant ladies. Prior examination was done to exclude any inverted or cracked nipples and appropriate treatment instituted. Result: The study group who expressed breast milk daily after 37 weeks did not find it difficult to initiate breast feeding after vaginal or cesarean delivery. Sufficient milk started flowing within half an hour of initiation of breast feeding in most 85 (94.4%) subjects of study group as compared to 63 (70%) patients of control group, which was statistically significant. There was no increase in any delivery complication. There were two partial breast feeding failures in control group but none in study group. Conclusion: Daily antenatal breast milk expression after 37 completed weeks of pregnancy significantly reduced the time for establishing full breast feeding and reduced breast feeding failures.