Authors (including presenting author) :
Wong SW(1), Ho SY(1), Lau WY(1), Yu SY(1), Chung PL(1), Chan WH(1), Kwok YF(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital
Introduction :
Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) refers to infants receiving only breastmilk throughout hospitalization in neonatal unit (NNU). It is crucial for premature and sick infants’ health. Maternal separations, inexperience, and insufficient support for breastfeeding in NNU are associated with lower EBF rates. In 2019, our NNU’s EBF rate was below the average EBF rate across the eight birthing hospitals under the Hospital Authority (HA). To address this, an empowerment program was launched in 2020 to support inborn infants in our NNU.
Objectives :
To increase EBF rates in our NNU
Methodology :
A multifaceted interventions were implemented: 1. Establishing a focus group with nurses, lactation consultants, and ward managers to identify barriers. 2. Creating an educational video and pamphlets on collecting and transporting expressed breast milk (EBM) to hospital. 3. Implementing unlimited visiting hours for mothers. 4. Enhancing staff skills in lactation support through hands-on training. 5. Assigning a breastfeeding ambassador each shift to assess breastfeeding practices among mothers using a structured breastfeeding assessment chart. 6. Developing a lactation consultation referral policy. 7. Strengthening communication with postnatal ward staff to support responsive feeding and create a support network for mothers. 8. Assisting mothers with skin-to-skin contact to stimulate milk production when breastfeeding is not feasible. 9. Providing guidance on maintaining milk supply and facilitating EBM feeding during separations. 10. Monitoring EBF rates as our Key Performance Indicators (KPI). The EBF data was retrieved from the ‘infant feeding charts’ upon the infants’ discharge for evaluation.
Result & Outcome :
From 2021 to 2024, our EBF rates rose to 7.2%, 5.7%, 8.7%, 11% respectively. The EBF rates increased by 5.5% from 2.9% in the period of 2019 – 2020 to an average of 8.2% in 2021 – 2024 which is statistically significant with a p-value < 0.00001 (Chi-square test). Meanwhile, average EBF rates across the eight HA hospitals ranged from 2.0% - 2.7%. These trends highlight that our EBF rates notably exceeded the average rates across the eight HA hospitals.
Conclusion: The project has shown marked improvement in the EBF rates in our unit. Continued efforts to support mothers and comprehensive in-service training for staff should be enhanced in the future.
