Timing and intensity of lactation support influences NICU discharge on maternal milk.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated maternal and infant factors that influence lactation success within the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and the impact of early lactation support. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study of 862 maternal-infant dyads admitted to the NICU. The relationship between lactation support and discharge home receiving mother's own milk (MOM) was examined after adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates. RESULT: Infants whose mothers who had 4-6 lactation visits within the first 14 days were 8.93 times more likely to discharge receiving MOM (95% CI 4.86-16.40, P < 0.05). Infants born to mothers who were White, primiparous, partnered, had private insurance, and with higher household incomes were more likely to discharge receiving MOM. CONCLUSION: At least 4 lactation visits within the first 2 weeks postpartum increases the likelihood of infant discharge on MOM. Hospitals should provide adequate access to lactation consultants to account for this need.