New Research about Breastfeeding Infants with Spina Bifida
Published on
While many are aware of the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby, a new study led byDiane Spatz, PhD, a nurse scientist with the ; Breastfeeding and Lactation Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), found that due to the fact that late preterm infants (LPI) do not have fully developed brains, they may experience difficulties latching and/or sustaining a latch on the breast. This means these infants are at high risk for formula supplementation and/or discontinuation of breastfeeding.
The study examined the positive human milk and breastfeeding outcomes in a program of care at Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania (CHOP) for LPI born with myelomeningocele (MMC), the most common and severe form of spina bifida. By using a unique transition-to-breast pathway program, a majority of the infants in the study were feeding unfortified material human milk at the time of discharge.
To read more, view the recent news coverage ScienceDaily,Bio Engineer,MedicalXpress, andHealth News Digest.