The Effect of Relactation Protocol on Breastfeeding Mothers' Preterm Infants Less than 2 months in Hospital Al –Zahra in Tabriz.

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction and Aims: World Health Organization (WHO) recommended mothers worldwide to exclusively breastfeed infants for the child's first six months to achieve optimal growth, development and health re –establishing breastfeeding (Relactation) is necessary in preterm infants who have been deprived of breastfeeding for some time because of being hospitalized in NICU. Although NICU nurses train mothers about breastfeeding and relactation to some degree, there exists a lack of support or evaluation for re –establishing breastfeeding consistently. The aim of this study was to compare the success rate of relactation protocol versus traditional support for mothers of premature infants. Subjects and Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was carried out on 60 preterm infants less than 2 months hospitalized in NICU of Tabriz Al –Zahra hospital. 30 of them were included in the test group and 30 others in the control group. The mothers of infants in the control group received routine training and support about relactation while the intervention group received routine training as well as relactation protocol and daily follow –up provided by the researcher. Results: Number of breastfeeding in the 1st day was 2.43 ±1.30 and 2.63±1.44 times /day for control and case groups respectively (p=0.57). At the 14th day of study, number of breastfeeding was 3.60±1.86 and 9.24±1.78 times/day in the case and control groups respectively (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Relactation protocol successfully increased volume and number of breastfeeding of the mothers of preterm infants. Mothers' motivation and confidence have key roles in a successful relactation where receiving of enough protection from the provider care team is important for relactation and feeding of premature infants. Therefore, the presence of a specialist nurse in NICU is essential for protection, offering regular educations and daily follow –ups.