International Breastfeeding Journal (Dec 2022)

Breastfeeding and human milk bank in a neonatal intensive care unit: impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in an Italian cohort of very low birth weight infants

  • Ilia Bresesti,
  • Laura Morlacchi,
  • Caterina Cazzaniga,
  • Camilla Sangiorgio,
  • Lorenza Bertù,
  • Maria Elena Bolis,
  • Angela Bossi,
  • Massimo Agosti

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-022-00529-x
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17, no. 1
pp. 1 – 7

Abstract

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Abstract Background Parental stress in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) is well known, as is the stress induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. This combination might increase stress to the extent of affecting the availability of maternal expressed milk and the success of establishing breastfeeding. This is particularly relevant in very preterm infants. Methods We conducted a single-centre retrospective analysis in two cohorts of very low birth weight infants born in a hospital in Italy. Babies born before the pandemic (September 2017 – December 2019) (n = 101) and during the pandemic (March 2020 – December 2021) (n = 67) were included in the analysis. We compared the rate of babies fed with maternal milk (both expressed and / or donated) at the achievement of full enteral feeding and the rate of those exclusively breastfed at discharge in the two groups. Then, we analysed the impact of donated human milk availability on infant formula use. We also compared mother’s need for psychological support during NICU stay and the duration of psychological follow-up after discharge. Results In our NICU the availability of expressed maternal milk significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic (86.1% before the pandemic vs 44.8% during the pandemic, p 6 months (1% vs 15%, p < 0.001). No differences in the main clinical outcomes were found. Conclusion Pandemic-induced stress had a significant impact on the availability of expressed maternal milk in NICU. However, the presence of human donated milk was fundamental in preventing increased use of infant formula during NICU stays. This underlines how strategies to implement the widespread establishment of donor milk banks on a national level are warranted. Further research is desirable to optimise the use of donated human milk banks during emergency situations.

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