Lactation Education Study in Mothers of Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Very low birth weight (VLBW; <1500 g) infants who receive maternal breast milk, as opposed to
infant formula, are less likely to experience the serious illnesses and poor developmental
outcomes associated with VLBW. However, a disparity exists in breast milk feeding. Infants
whose mothers have low educational attainment and low income are less likely to receive
maternal breast milk than infants whose mothers who do not have low educational attainment
and low income. The primary objective of this proposed research is to determine the effect of
lactation discharge instructions in an audio-visual format provided to mothers for home
viewing on the dose and duration of maternal breast milk received by their VLBW infants
during the neonatal intensive care unit hospitalization.

Methods. Forty mothers of VLBW infants will be randomly assigned to receive a breast milk
expression instruction digital video disc (DVD) in addition to standard of care lactation
education or assigned to receive written instructions in addition to standard of care
lactation education. In addition to comparing infant intake of maternal breast milk intake,
pre and post intervention lactation and breast milk expression knowledge will be compared
between groups and DVD viewing frequency and acceptability will be determined with a log and
questionnaire to be completed by the intervention group and collected the first month after
delivery.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Infant birth weight less than 1500 grams

- Maternal educational attainment less than/equal to 12 years

- Maternal low income status (Medicaid participant prior to delivery)

Exclusion Criteria:

- Non-English speaking

- Illicit drug use during pregnancy