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Clinical Application of Measurement of Breastmilk
Author(s) -
Kent Jacqueline Coral,
Langton Diana,
Hepworth Anna,
Hartmann Peter
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.368.6
Subject(s) - confidence interval , breastfeeding , medicine , lactation , breast milk , zoology , pediatrics , pregnancy , chemistry , biology , biochemistry , genetics
We aimed to assess whether measurement of 24‐h milk production (MP) affects breastfeeding (BF) confidence, which may in turn affect BF exclusivity and duration. Mothers (n=105) reported their BF confidence and perception of milk supply before and after measuring MP by test‐weighing (BabyWeigh scales, Medela AG) and being advised of the normal range of MP (478–1298g). A second measurement of MP was done 3.7 ± 2.9 weeks later in a self‐selected sub‐group (n=19, MP 237–863g) after advice from a lactation consultant. Of 76 mothers initially confident in their BF, only 4 lost confidence, and these 4 had MP<700g. Of 29 mothers initially not confident in their BF, 18 gained confidence. Of the 11 still not confident, 6 had MP<700g. BF confidence was not related to actual MP either before ( P =0.787) or after ( P =0.236) measurement of MP. Mothers who initially perceived that their milk supply was normal gained confidence in their BF after measurement ( P =0.009). Mothers who perceived that their milk supply was low had no change in BF confidence before and after measurement ( P =0.658). Mothers who repeated measurement of MP showed an increase of 154±128g ( P =0.013). The majority (n=11) remained confident throughout, and 7 gained confidence. We conclude that BF confidence is improved by measuring MP when MP is >700g. Moreover, measurement can quantitate improvement in MP. Research support was an unrestriced grant from Medela AG .