Structured Lactation Support and Human Donor Milk for German NICUs-Protocol on an Intervention Design Based on a Multidimensional Status Quo and Needs Assessment (Neo-MILK)

Overview

Journal PLoS One

Specialties General Medicine
Science

Date 2023 Apr 27

PMID 37104486

Authors

Nadine Scholten

Alicia Fitzgerald

Katja Matthias

Mi-Ran Okumu

Tim Ohnhauser

Katharina Schmitz

Christine Schreiner

Isabella Schwab

Anna Stirner

Ricarda Wullenkord

Till Dresbach

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: Mother's own milk is the best nutrition for every newborn and especially for vulnerable infants such as preterm infants with a very low birth weight below 1,500 grams (VLBW). If no MOM is available, human donor milk is the alternative of choice. Mothers of preterm born infants face challenging conditions that impair sufficient milk production. For this reason, it is particularly important to provide structural lactation support and, at the same time, to promote the establishment of human donor milk banks.

Methods And Analysis: Via a multidisciplinary approach the Neo-MILK study will develop an intervention for structured breastfeeding and lactation support. This will be based on a comprehensive status quo and needs assessment. In addition, the implementation of human donor milk banks (HDMB) will be supported by the development of standards.

Ethics And Dissemination: Intervention development is participatory, involving different disciplines and stakeholders. All surveys are subject to approval by the ethics committee. During the course of the project, the results will be communicated to the scientific community and the general public via publications, the project homepage and social media.

Trial Registration Number: DRKS00024799 (German Clinical Trials Register).

Citing Articles

Structured lactation support for mothers of very low birthweight preterm infants and establishment of human donor milk banks in German NICUs (Neo-MILK): protocol for a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation cluster-randomised controlled trial.

Dymek N, Jaschke J, Stirner A, Schwab I, Ohnhauser T, Wiesen D BMJ Open. 2025; 15(2):e084746.

PMID: 39915027 PMC: 11800210. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-084746.

Challenges and Choices in Breastfeeding Healthy, Sick and Preterm Babies: Review.

Bauer S, Abele H, Graf J Healthcare (Basel). 2024; 12(23).

PMID: 39685039 PMC: 11641371. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12232418.

Lactation support in neonatal intensive care units in Germany from the mothers' perspective - a mixed-method study of the current status and needs.

Schwab I, Wullenkord R, Eyssel F, Dresbach T, Scholten N BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2024; 24(1):282.

PMID: 38627697 PMC: 11022450. DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06339-9.

[Operating models and organizational structures: opportunities and challenges for human milk banking in Germany].

Klotz D, Berns M, Fusch C, Schlosser R, Poschinger M, Wellmann S Z Geburtshilfe Neonatol. 2023; 227(5):329-335.

PMID: 37536362 PMC: 10575713. DOI: 10.1055/a-2125-1076.

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