Running

Head: IMPORTANCE OF BREASTFEEDING IN THE NICU

Answering a Call for Papers:
The Importance of Breastfeeding in the NICU
Olivia Collette
Northeastern University

IMPORTANCE OF BREASTFEEDING IN THE NICU

Breastfeeding provides countless benefits for mothers, infants, and the

community at large. Aside from providing a cost-effective method for feeding a
newborn, breastfeeding can promote attachment between mother and child.
Mothers who choose to breastfeed their newborn are more likely to bond with their
infant than mothers who choose to formula feed (Quest et al, 2003). Oxytocin, a
hormone that is utilized in the letdown of breast milk, is known as the cuddle
chemical. The cuddle chemical is released during other loving behaviors that make
us feel good and begin to fall in love with a person (Uvnas-Moberg, 1998). Despite
the benefits, many mothers forego breastfeeding for various reasons. Some mothers
are presented with obstacles that make breastfeeding more challenging, such as
admission of their newborn to the NICU.
This paper will focus on the importance of promoting breastfeeding in the
NICU as a means of parent-infant bonding. In addition, this piece will argue that the
new practice of rooming-in is essential for promoting breastfeeding practices as
well as parent-infant bonding in the NICU. The technique of breastfeeding involves
placing the infant on the bare chest of the mother. This skin-to-skin contact,
otherwise known as kangaroo care, not only allows for ease of feeding but also
encourages the mother-infant attachment (Petruskavich et al, 2013). Other benefits
of kangaroo care include initiation of successful breastfeeding, skin temperature
regulation of the newborn, and positive transition to extra-uterine life (Brenneman
& Keller). Because of the many benefits of breastfeeding, one way to make the NICU
more breastfeeding friendly is to implement rooming-in.
In order to encourage breastfeeding and bonding in the NICU, rooming-in

IMPORTANCE OF BREASTFEEDING IN THE NICU

must be implemented in all NICUs. The method of rooming-in is currently utilized

on most labor and delivery and post partum units, however it is beginning to make
its way into the NICU settings (Rapley, 2002). With rooming-in, mothers are allowed
access to their infants in the NICU at all times. This not only helps to promote
breastfeeding, but it also helps to establish the parent-infant relationship.
As evidenced by the use of kangaroo care, breastfeeding is more than just a means of
providing nutrients to a newborn. Breastfeeding promotes mother-infant
attachment, which has been linked to improving the outcomes of newborns in the
NICU (Hopwood, 2010). In order for hospitals to make their NICUs more
breastfeeding friendly, rooming-in should be utilized. While rooming-in gives the
mother access to her child at all times to help support breastfeeding, it also
encourages parent-infant attachment.

Reflective Note: This piece dives deeper into my inquiry of promoting parental
attachment by encouraging breastfeeding in NICU settings and utilizing an up and
coming method called rooming-in. I responded to a call for papers from the Journal
of Human Lactation in which the journal was requesting papers for an upcoming
issue on breastfeeding and human milk in the neonatal intensive care unit.







Works Cited

IMPORTANCE OF BREASTFEEDING IN THE NICU

Else-Quest, N. M., Hyde, J. S., & Clark, R. (2003). Breastfeeding, bonding, and
the mother-infant relationship. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 49(4), 495-517.
Hopwood, R. (2010). The role of the neonatal nurse in promoting parental
attachment in the NICU. Infant, 6(2), 54-58.
Keller, A., MS, RNC, CNP, & Brenneman, A., BSN, RNC. (2012). Operation kangaroo
care. Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nursing.
Petruskavich, S., RN, MN, PCP, Manikandan, R., RN, MN, & Schallers, D., RN,
BScN. (2013). Leading the baby friendly initiative in a NICU: One
hospitals journey to ignite the change. Newborn and Infant Reviews,
13(3), 133-136.
Rapley, G. (2002). Keeping mothers and babies together: Breastfeeding and
bonding. RCM Midwives, 5(10), 332-334.
Uvnas-Moberg, K. (1998). Oxytocin may mediate the benefits of positive social
interactions and emotions. Elsevier. 23 (8). 819-835.