Research on influencing factors of breastfeeding for premature infants in NICU

Abstract

Objective To explore the influencing factors of breastfeeding for premature infants in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods Totally 100 premature infants hospitalized in NICU were evaluated by the general information questionnaire, parents′ perception uncertainty scale-family (PPUS-FM), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS). The variables may influence breastfeeding were collected. Results Premature infants in NICU were divided into the pure breastfeeding group (49 cases) and the non-breastfeeding group (51 cases). Through the comparison, we found that the differences in gestational age, birth weight, mother′s maternity leave time, whether mothers have the breastfeeding plan, whether they know the importance of breastfeeding for premature infants, whether they accept the guidance and help of breastfeeding, whether they have confidence in breastfeeding, lover′s attitude to breastfeeding, nipple condition, the time of milking in 30 minutes after child birth and milking time within 24 h, anxiety score, depression score and uncertainty in illness (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that: uncertainty in illness (OR=1.083, P=0.044), depression (OR=1.059, P=0.023), lover′s attitude to breastfeeding (OR=0.099, P=0.022), accept assistance and guidance of breastfeeding (OR=0.055, P=0.038) and milking in 30 minutes after child birth (OR=0.020, P=0.007) were important influencing factors of breastfeeding for premature infants in NICU. Conclusions The uncertainty in illness, depression, lover′s attitude to breastfeeding, accept assistance and guidance of breastfeeding, and began milking in 30 minutes may affect the breastfeeding in premature infants. Nurses should take timely risk assessment and interventions to effectively improve infant′s breastfeeding measures, and promote the health of maternals and children. Key words: Intensive care unit; Infant, premature; Breastfeeding; Influencing factor