LLLI Center for Breastfeeding Information

Journal Abstract of the Month for December 2004

"Breastfeeding Success among Infants with Congenital Heart Disease"

Authors: Kimberly H. Barbas
Deanne K. Kelleher

Pediatr Nurs 2004 Jul-Aug;30(4):285-9.

This article shares information about breastfeeding infants with congenital heart disease (CHD). Children's Hospital Boston, in Boston, Massachusetts, improved breastfeeding outcomes for babies with CHD by instituting an active lactation consultation program. These findings suggest that by implementing support and education necessary to initiate and maintain lactation mothers of babies with CHD can successfully breastfeed their infants for durations recommended in the Healthy People 2010 initiative. It is estimated that eight of every 1000 infants have CHD. Previous studies have shown that breastfeeding greatly benefits CHD infants because oxygen saturations were maintained at higher and less variable levels during breastfeeding, it requires less effort to breastfeed, and also breastfed CHD babies gain weight more quickly and have shorter hospital stays. Unfortunately, it was reported, 53% of pediatric staffs had no relevant training in breastfeeding and demonstrated inadequate knowledge of lactation in spite of the frequency with which the pediatric staff assisted mothers with lactation assistance. To remedy the problem Children's Hospital Boston began by hiring a full-time International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), developed policies and procedures for breast pump usage, and began a breast pump rental and retail program with direct billing to insurance providers. Expansion of available breast pump rooms and available pumps made it easier for mothers of CHD babies to pump. A breastfeeding self-learning packet was facilitated for staff members who couldn't attend classes. Written information sheets developed by the lactation support program were available on the hospital intranet and provided a way to access consistent information for teaching purposes. Results comparing breastfeeding rates for CHD infants in a previous 1993 study with the improved rates in the 1998-2000 sample suggest that by giving the education and support needed to initiate and maintain lactation mothers can successfully breastfeed for the Healthy People 2010 durations recommended.

This paper is being categorized with the following keywords:

Cardiac Disease
Management
Education
Professional Attitudes – LCs
Growth
Duration
Psychology – Mother
Breast Pumps, Devices
Breastfeeding and Surgery
Trends

Additional Information:

The PubMed Abstract is at this link.

Healthy People 2010 Breastfeeding Goals:
http://www.healthypeople.gov/Document/HTML/Volume2/16MICH.htm#_Toc494699668

American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement - Breastfeeding and the use of human milk:
http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;100/6/1035

International Board Certified Lactation Consultants:
www.iblce.org

Breastfeeding Statistics:

World: http://lalecheleague.org/cbi/bfstats03.html
USA: http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/NIS_data/index.htm

Professional Lactation Education:

http://www.breastfeedingbasics.org/
http://lalecheleague.org/ed/PhysSem.html
www.bfmed.org
www.wellstart.org