The course of breastfeeding and duration of feeding human milk in infants with congenital heart disease
Date
2021
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Background: Although mothers of children with congenital heart disease are able to breastfeed successfully, the research on this population is limited and the effect of breastfeeding challenges and social support on human milk duration is unknown. Research aims/questions: This study aimed to describe the course of breastfeeding in infants with CHD from birth to 12 months of age, with a focus on breastfeeding characteristics (e.g., early lactation experiences, breastfeeding challenges, sources of breastfeeding support) and their relationship to the exclusivity and duration of feeding human milk. Methods: This study was a prospective, observational study conducted at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia between 2015-2018. Participants were followed throughout the infant's first year of life, with 9 total contacts. Questionnaires were administered to mothers at each visit to obtain information on feeding type, sources of support, and challenges faced during breastfeeding. Results: 75 mother-infant dyads were enrolled. 93% of mothers reported having challenges, the most common (38%) being the infant having trouble latching. The majority of support was received within the first 0.5 months of the infant's life from lactation consultants (72%) and nurses (62%). The mean duration of 'any human milk' and 'human milk only' was 6.4 months and 3.19 months, respectively. Duration of 'human milk only' was related to mothers reporting infants having trouble sucking (p=0.03) and not having enough milk (p=0.04). Human milk durations were not related to receiving support. Conclusion: Mothers of infants with congenital heart disease were able to successfully provide their infants with human milk, despite commonly facing breastfeeding challenges and rehospitalizations.
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Keywords
Breastfeeding, Infants, Congenital heart disease