Newborn Clinical Outcomes of the AWHONN Late Preterm Infant Research‐Based Practice Project

Establishing Breastfeeding with the Late Preterm Infant in the NICU

“…I n 2010, almost a half million late preterm infants (LPIs) (born between 34 0/7 and 36 6/7 weeks gestation) were born in the United States (Hamilton, Martin, & Ventura, 2010). These infants constitute 71% of all preterm births (Medoff Cooper et al, 2012), and though most LPIs are initially admitted to the wellborn nursery, 20% of these infants are later admitted to the NICU for complications and medical interventions (Pulver, Denney, Silver, & Young, 2010). LPIs have 4 times more medical complications than full-term infants (Pulver et al, 2010).…”

“…LPIs have 4 times more medical complications than full-term infants (Pulver et al, 2010). The stress of delivery and the LPIs' physical immaturity places them at greater risk for respiratory distress, temperature instability, hypoglycemia, sepsis, jaundice, and hyperbilirubinemia (Medoff Cooper et al, 2012); they often require intravenous fluids, enteral, or bottle feeding after delivery (Medoff Cooper et al, 2012;Walker, 2008).…”

Five Steps to Improve Bedside Breastfeeding Care

“…With greater understanding of the importance of breastfeeding activities during the first several postpartum days, especially the effect on subsequent milk production, health care providers who anticipate and effectively address breastfeeding problems on the first day lessen the likelihood of discontinuation of breastfeeding postdischarge (Flaherman et al., ). Many nursing practices that have significantly promoted breastfeeding may be simple, inexpensive interventions, such as the avoidance of early bathing and promotion of skin‐to‐skin contact (Medoff Cooper et al., ). Similarly, nurses can incorporate newer, evidenced‐based practices, such as hand expression and spoon‐feeding, into routine care.…”

Evidence‐Based Practice to Improve Outcomes for Late Preterm Infants

“…Researchers have clearly documented that during the immediate newborn period, late preterm infants (LPIs) are at increased risk of developing hypothermia, respiratory complications, feeding difficulties, extended lengths of stay, and higher infant mortality (Gouyon et al., ; Kitsommart et al., ; Medoff‐Cooper et al., 2012; Melamed et al., 2009). Additionally, long‐term adverse outcomes for LPIs include developmental delays in reading and academic achievement (Chyi, Lee, Hintz, Gould, & Sutcliffe, ; Kalia, Visintainer, Brumber, Pici, & Kase, 2009; Morse, Zheng, Tang, & Roth, 2009; Nepomnyaschy, Hegyi, Ostfeld, & Reichman, ; Petrini, Young, Rogers, & Reily, 2009).…”