Promoting Breastfeeding and Lactation Among Mothers of Premature Newborns in a Hospital in China.

Objective: To promote breastfeeding and lactation in mothers separated from their premature infants admitted to the NICU in a hospital in China.
Design: For this evidence-based practice project we used a mixed method of survey measures and interviews and were guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System and Getting Research Into Practice framework.
Setting/local Problem: Obstetric unit of a Women and Children's Hospital in China from September 2017 to August 2018. Before the project, the partial breastfeeding rate in the hospital was 17.9%, and the exclusive breastfeeding rate of premature infants was 1.8%; these rates were much lower than the national breastfeeding rate in the country.
Participants: Seventeen nurses and 70 mothers of premature infants.
Intervention/measurements: The project included three phases: (a) finding the best evidence to promote breastfeeding in the literature and identifying the gaps between best practice and current practice, (b) implementing best practice strategies, and (c) comparing pre- and postintervention outcomes. Based on the evidence in the literature and the barriers, strategies were implemented in practice to promote breastfeeding and lactation among women separated from their preterm newborns. Chi-square and t tests were performed to compare the pre-/postintervention differences.
Results: Partial breastfeeding rates increased from 17.9% to 52.7%, and exclusive breastfeeding rates increased from 1.8% to 4.1%. Compliance with breastfeeding guidelines and measures of maternal lactation volume both improved significantly.
Conclusion: Promoting breastfeeding and lactation among mothers of premature infants requires not only scientific knowledge but also a caring environment and family-centered practice.
(Copyright © 2020 AWHONN. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)