Impact of the nursing mother project on the mother-baby bond and breastfeeding in a neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the stay of mothers of premature newborns (PN) in the hospital through the nursing mother project (NMP) favors the mother-baby bond and leads to greater adherence to breastfeeding. METHODS: Prospective cross-sectional study, carried out in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, which included mothers of newborns with gestational age (GA) <36 weeks and who participated or not in the NMP. Socio-demographic and delivery conditions and adherence to breastfeeding were evaluated. The mother-baby bond was quantified with the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ). Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test, the T test and the Bartlett test and a p value <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Forty-two mothers were included. The period of absence from the hospital was short: median: 1 day and mean: 1.96 (± 2.8) days. There was no difference in PBQ between the group that remained and the group that left the hospital (7.56 and 6.2) p = 0.49. Babies of mothers who stayed in the nursing mother accommodation needed less infant formula (p: 0.058). Most mothers in both groups considered themselves to be well-informed about breastfeeding and felt safe to maintain breastfeeding after hospital discharge. CONCLUSION: The PBQ score was low in both groups, demonstrating a good bond between mothers and babies. As the period of absence was short, most mothers received support from the breastfeeding support team, which may have favored adherence to breastfeeding.