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Background: Some mothers of preterm infants suffer from difficulties in initiating and maintaining adequate milk production. This study was designed to investigate the milk production in mothers of preterm infants using hospital-grade breast pumps and to study the nutrient content of their milk. Methods: This was an observational prospective study. Mothers of preterm infants with gestational age < 32 weeks or birth weight < 1,500 g who were admitted to our hospital from August 2016 to December 2017 were recruited. A pumping diary and a questionnaire were completed by mothers (n = 30). Milk samples from before, during, and after each pumping session on days 7 and 14 postpartum were analyzed. Results: The median time to onset of lactogenesis II was 75.4 h. Mean milk output increased gradually, meeting key thresholds of 350 g/d on day 6, 500 g/d on day 8, and close to 750 g/d on day 14. Then, all mean milk outputs were over 750 g/d. The mean milk output exceeded the mean feeding volume on days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42. Mothers using hospital-grade breast pumps had more cumulative milk production compared with mothers using hand expression. The milk yield on days 7 and 14 were positively correlated to that on days 21, 28, 35, and 42. Milk outputs on days 7, 14, and 42 of mothers with a pumping frequency of ≥ 6 times/d were greater than mothers with a pumping frequency of < 6 times/d. Threshold values for milk output on day 7 (cut-off, 406.8 g/d; sensitivity, 68.2%; specificity, 100%) and day 14 (cut-off, 518.0 g/d; sensitivity, 81.8%; specificity, 100%) were identified as predicting a milk output of more than 750 g/d on day 42. Fat and energy levels were higher in hind-milk than fore-or mixed-milk on days 7 and 14. Those who pumped ≥ 6 times/d had higher levels of fat, carbohydrate, and energy in their milk on day 7. Conclusion: Most preterm infants' mothers using a hospital-grade pump with a pumping frequency of ≥ 6 times/d can reach full lactation successfully. Nutrient analysis of the human milk should be performed.

Background Mothers of preterm infants face many challenges in breastfeeding, especially regarding lactation. This study aimed to investigate the lactation status and challenges in breastfeeding faced by preterm infants’ mothers. Methods We approached 124 mothers who gave birth to preterm infants between 26 May and 31 October 2018 in a tertiary hospital in China. Lactation status and challenges in breastfeeding on day 7 postpartum, at discharge of infants, 2 weeks post-discharge, and 3 months of corrected age were collected using questionnaires. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for expressed milk volume on day 7 postpartum for predicting expressed milk volume ≥ 300 mL/d at discharge was calculated. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with delayed lactogenesis II onset and continuation of breastfeeding at 3 months of corrected age. Results Seventy mothers were enrolled, and 51.4% had delayed lactogenesis II. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that older maternal age (aOR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.40) and first live birth (aOR = 4.81; 95% CI 1.43, 16.18) were significant independent predictors of delayed lactogenesis II. Mothers with delayed lactogenesis II had significantly lower expressed milk volume (day 7 postpartum: 160.0 mL vs. 300.0 mL, U = 328.50, p = 0.001; at discharge: 425.0 mL vs. 612.5 mL, U = 372.00, p = 0.005), with a lower proportion of exclusive breastfeeding in their infants (at discharge: 33.3% vs. 69.8%, χ2 = 12.39, df = 1, p < 0.001; 3 months of corrected age: 17.8% vs. 52.8%, χ2 = 11.03, df = 1, p = 0.001). The ROC showed that expressed milk volume > 190 mL/d on day 7 postpartum significantly predicted expressed milk volume ≥ 300 mL/d at discharge. Insufficient human milk was the main reason for breastfeeding discontinuation at 3 months of corrected age. Twins were less likely to continue breastfeeding at 3 months of corrected age (aOR = 0.27; 95% CI 0.09, 0.86). In singleton infants, mother’s own milk ≥50% of total milk uptake at 2 weeks post-discharge (aOR = 32.66; 95% CI 3.00, 355.25) was an independent predictor of continuous breastfeeding at 3 months of corrected age. Feeding complications in infants, poor breastfeeding technique, and low milk output are the main challenges in breastfeeding. Conclusion Interventions to improve early postpartum lactation and breastfeeding techniques may increase breastfeeding adoption in mothers of preterm infants.

Background: Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is an evidence-based and cost-effective intervention that could prevent severe complications for preterm babies, however it has not been widely adopted in China. In this study, we aim to investigate the feasibility and parental experience of adopting KMC in a Chinese context by studying the implementation of a KMC program in eight self-selected neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Methods: A cross-sectional study of 135 preterm infants discharged from eight NICUs in April 2018. For infants information was collected on postnatal day and corrected gestational age (GA) at KMC initiation, frequency and duration of KMC provision and whether the infant was receiving respiratory support. A nurse-administered questionnaire on parents' knowledge and experience of KMC provision was administered to parents providing KMC. Results: One hundred thirty-five preterm infants received KMC, 21.2% of all preterm infants discharged. 65.2% of those who received KMC were below 32 weeks GA, 60.7% had a birth weight below 1500 g, and 20.7% needed respiratory support at KMC initiation. Average KMC exposure was greater in infants born at GA < 28 weeks that babies born at greater GA. 94.8% of parents that participated in the parental survey indicated that KMC was positively accepted by their family members; 60.4% of the parents claimed that KMC could relieve anxiety, 57.3% claimed it prompted more interactions with medical staff and 69.8% suggested it increased parental confidence in care for their infants. Conclusions: After advocacy, training and promotion, intermittent KMC was initiated on more immature and highrisk infants, and well-accepted by parents. We suggest continuing to promote KMC education to parents and enhancing preterm infant health.

Oxcarbazepine is a second‐generation antiepileptic drug that is used to treat partial seizures. Although it has been increasingly used in pregnant women, its fetal safety has not been fully validated. We describe a 12‐hour‐old neonate who developed neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) after intrauterine exposure to oxcarbazepine. The neonate was born via cesarean section to a mother who took oxcarbazepine 300 mg/day for treatment of seizures throughout her pregnancy. Approximately 12 hours after birth, the infant developed paroxysmal jitter, which mainly presented as increased excitability, irritability, limb shaking, and increased muscle tone. These symptoms resolved by day 9 of life. Although NAS occurs most often after in utero exposure to opioids, exposure to other drugs during pregnancy may contribute to a small proportion of NAS cases. To our knowledge, this is the second case report of oxcarbazepine‐induced NAS. Pregnant women with epilepsy should weigh the pros and cons of continuing oxcarbazepine during their pregnancy when they are prescribed this drug. For infants with in utero oxcarbazepine exposure, comprehensive assessments and examinations are necessary for screening oxcarbazepine‐induced NAS.