Reliability and Validity of the Preterm Infant Feeding Survey: Instrument Development and Testing

Abstract

No instruments have been located that examine attitudes concerning feeding decisions of mothers of preterm infants. The purpose of this study was to describe the development and psychometric testing of the Preterm Infant Feeding Survey (PIFS). The PIFS was adapted from the Breastfeeding Attrition Prediction Scale. The five-subscale, 78-item PIFS was tested with 105 mothers of preterm infants shortly after hospital admission. Individual subscale Cronbach's alpha values ranged from .75 to .82. Factor analysis demonstrated a five-factor solution. The PIFS is the first instrument to examine factors that contribute to feeding decisions of mothers of high-risk preterm infants; this knowledge will support the planning of interventions to improve breastfeeding outcomes for this population. Further psychometric testing with larger samples is recommended.

Mothers' Experiences Expressing Breast Milk for Their Preterm Infants

“…29 The PIFS consists of 68 items in 5 subscales: attitudes and 380 Dowling et al the maternity floor. There were no statistically significant differences between mothers in the standard NICU and those in the SFR NICU regarding the place where they were more comfortable pumping ( 2 ϭ 2.34, df ϭ 2; P ϭ .310) despite the finding that 23.1% of mothers in the standard NICU were more comfortable pumping in the baby's room compared with 76.9% of mothers in the SFR NICU.…”

Feeding Difficulties in Preterm Infants

“…However, literature suggests that establishing successful breastfeeding may be a challenge for many preterm infants and their mothers, due to both neonatal oral feeding issues, as well as maternal lactation issues associated with preterm delivery and maternal-neonatal separation while their infant is in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). [83][84][85][86][87] However, if breastfeeding is successful, research suggests that preterm infants are generally more physiologically stable during breastfeeds than bottle-feeds, [88][89][90] which is a clearly desirable outcome. This may relate to milk flow rate, neonatal positioning, maternal attunement to neonatal cues, or other factors that may differ between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding situations.…”

A Critical Review of Instruments Measuring Breastfeeding Attitudes, Knowledge, and Social Support

“…Higher scores indicate more positive attitudes toward breastfeeding. The instrument has been used at least 27 times since original development in both original and adapted formats (Dowling et al, 2012; Dowling, Madigan, Anthony, Elfettoh, & Graham, 2009; Dowling, Shapiro, Burant, & Elfettoh, 2009; Flaherman et al, 2013; Flaherman et al, 2011).…”

“…The purpose of Dowling, Madigan, et al’s (2009) Preterm Infant Feeding Survey (PIFS) is to measure attitudes toward infant feeding in mothers of preterm infants. The PIFS was adapted from Janke’s (1992) Breast-feeding Attrition Prediction Tool (BAPT).…”