Presentation Information

The MILC Study – Exploring the prevalence and outcomes associated with breast milk expressing: a prospective cohort study

• Speaker: Helene M. Johns , Midwife, IBCLC, PhD Candidate
• Presentation Type:
• Duration: 30 Mins
• Credits: .5 CERP, .5 Nursing CEU, .5 CME, .05 Midwifery CEU, .5 Dietetic CEU

Abstract:

During the MILC study we recruited 1003 postpartum mothers of term healthy infants who intended to breastfeed to explore the prevalence and outcomes of breast milk expression, and whether feeding other than directly from the breast prior to hospital discharge decreased the proportion of these infants receiving any breast milk at six months. Data were collected between June 2009 and November 2011, at recruitment 24-48 hours after birth and by telephone interview at three and six months postpartum. At recruitment, 48% of infants had been fully breastfeeding at the breast, 47% had received at least some expressed breast milk. Only 36% of primiparas had been fully feeding at the breast. At six months, infants who had fed only at the breast at recruitment were more likely fed breast milk (76% vs. 59%; OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.27, 2.46; adjusted for parity, type of birth, breastfeeding intention, perceived breastfeeding problems at recruitment and education).