Transforming breastfeeding outcomes: The power of antenatal breastmilk expression, a retrospective cohort study in Ireland.

BACKGROUND

Antenatal breast milk expression is safe and effective in diabetic women at low risk of complications. Antenatal breast milk expression is associated with higher breastfeeding rates at birth and postpartum.

AIM: This research aimed to evaluate the impact of antenatal breast milk expression on breastfeeding outcomes in an Irish cohort.

METHODS

Mothers were offered antenatal breast milk expression support packs at 36 weeks' gestation if they met one or more criteria: insulin dependent diabetic; elective section; multiparity pregnancy; previous feeding issues; or planned separation. Women at risk of complications were excluded. Data was extracted from maternity records of women who gave birth between November 2022 - April 2023 at a regional hospital. Chi-square (χ2) or Fisher's exact tests and Independent t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests compared differences in categorical and continuous data respectively.

FINDINGS: Of mothers who received antenatal breast milk expression support packs (n = 63), 76.2 % (n = 48) expressed antenatal colostrum and 70.8 % (n = 34) brought colostrum to hospital. Most mothers who expressed antenatal colostrum also exclusively breastfeeding at birth (95.8 %, n = 46; χ2(1) = 13.237, p < 0.001), timepoint 2: <48 h post birth (89.6 %, n = 43; χ2(1) = 4.495, p = 0.034) and at discharge (75 %, n = 36; χ2(1) = 6.300, p = 0.012).

CONCLUSION

Antenatal breast milk expression was high when provided with a support pack. Antenatal breast milk expression had a positive impact on initiation and continuation of breastfeeding in this cohort. Therefore, a longitudinal intervention to assess exclusive breastfeeding duration is warranted.