Donor human milk largely replaces formula-feeding of preterm infants in two urban hospitals

J Perinatol. 2013 Jun;33(6):446-51. doi: 10.1038/jp.2012.153. Epub 2012 Dec 20.

Abstract

Objective: To determine acceptance of donor human milk (DM) for feeding preterm infants and whether offering DM, alters mothers' milk (MM) feeding.

Study design: Infant feeding data were collected from medical records of 650 very preterm infants enrolled between 2006-2011 in two hospital level III neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Cincinnati, Ohio. The study was conducted during the implementation of a program offering 14 days of DM.

Result: From 2006-2011, any DM use increased from 8 to 77% of infants, largely replacing formula for the first 2 weeks of life; provision of MM did not change. DM was more likely to be given in the first 2 weeks of life, if infants never received MM or were >1000 g birth weight, but DM use did not differ by sociodemographic factors.

Conclusion: Offering DM dramatically increased human milk feeding and decreased formula use, but did not alter MM feeding in hospital.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Birth Weight
  • Breast Feeding* / psychology
  • Breast Feeding* / statistics & numerical data
  • Breast Milk Expression / psychology
  • Breast Milk Expression / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Gestational Age
  • Hospitals, University
  • Hospitals, Urban*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant Formula / administration & dosage*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / therapy*
  • Male
  • Milk Banks* / statistics & numerical data
  • Milk, Human*
  • Mothers / psychology
  • Motivation
  • Ohio
  • Quality Improvement