LLLI Center for Breastfeeding Information
Journal Abstract
of the Month for December 2004
"Breastfeeding Success
among Infants with Congenital Heart Disease"
Authors: Kimberly
H. Barbas
Deanne K. Kelleher
Pediatr Nurs 2004
Jul-Aug;30(4):285-9.
This article shares information
about breastfeeding infants with congenital heart disease (CHD). Children's
Hospital Boston, in Boston, Massachusetts, improved breastfeeding outcomes
for babies with CHD by instituting an active lactation consultation
program. These findings suggest that by implementing support and education
necessary to initiate and maintain lactation mothers of babies with
CHD can successfully breastfeed their infants for durations recommended
in the Healthy People 2010 initiative. It is estimated that eight of
every 1000 infants have CHD. Previous studies have shown that breastfeeding
greatly benefits CHD infants because oxygen saturations were maintained
at higher and less variable levels during breastfeeding, it requires
less effort to breastfeed, and also breastfed CHD babies gain weight
more quickly and have shorter hospital stays. Unfortunately, it was
reported, 53% of pediatric staffs had no relevant training in breastfeeding
and demonstrated inadequate knowledge of lactation in spite of the frequency
with which the pediatric staff assisted mothers with lactation assistance.
To remedy the problem Children's Hospital Boston began by hiring
a full-time International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC),
developed policies and procedures for breast pump usage, and began a
breast pump rental and retail program with direct billing to insurance
providers. Expansion of available breast pump rooms and available pumps
made it easier for mothers of CHD babies to pump. A breastfeeding self-learning
packet was facilitated for staff members who couldn't attend classes.
Written information sheets developed by the lactation support program
were available on the hospital intranet and provided a way to access
consistent information for teaching purposes. Results comparing breastfeeding
rates for CHD infants in a previous 1993 study with the improved rates
in the 1998-2000 sample suggest that by giving the education and support
needed to initiate and maintain lactation mothers can successfully breastfeed
for the Healthy People 2010 durations recommended.
This paper is being categorized with the following keywords:
Cardiac Disease
Management
Education
Professional Attitudes – LCs
Growth
Duration
Psychology – Mother
Breast Pumps, Devices
Breastfeeding and Surgery
Trends
Additional Information:
The PubMed Abstract is at this link.
Healthy People 2010 Breastfeeding
Goals:
http://www.healthypeople.gov/Document/HTML/Volume2/16MICH.htm#_Toc494699668
American Academy of Pediatrics
Policy Statement - Breastfeeding and the use of human milk:
http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;100/6/1035
International Board Certified
Lactation Consultants:
www.iblce.org
Breastfeeding Statistics:
World: http://lalecheleague.org/cbi/bfstats03.html
USA: http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/NIS_data/index.htm
Professional Lactation Education:
http://www.breastfeedingbasics.org/
http://lalecheleague.org/ed/PhysSem.html
www.bfmed.org
www.wellstart.org
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:34:23 UTC 2007.
