Evaluation of nursing knowledge of early initiation of breastfeeding in preterm infants in a hospital setting

Infant breastfeeding initiation before 32 weeks postconceptional age is not standard practice in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Based on the literature, preterm infants can initiate breastfeeding when they are physiologically stable. The purpose of this research was to evaluate nurses' knowledge regarding the early initiation of breastfeeding in preterm infants in a northeastern tertiary children's hospital NICU. A pre-test/post-test study design was used. Eighteen allied health professionals, average age 41 years, with 11–15 years in a NICU setting and two breastfeeding mothers supported per week, were recruited. Participants' paired pre-test and post-test average scores respectively were 57.6% and 72.04%, p < 0.014. Barriers to early initiation of breastfeeding were the absence of mothers at bedside, insufficient kangaroo care, inconsistent professional support of breastfeeding, and family dysfunction. Early initiation of breastfeeding is within the physical capabilities of the preterm infant. However, institutional and social barriers impede infant success.