Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2001;85:F91-F95 ( September )

A randomised controlled trial to compare methods of milk expression after preterm delivery

E Jones^a, P W Dimmock^b, S A Spencer^a

^a Neonatal Unit, North Staffordshire Hospital, Newcastle Rd, Stoke on Trent ST4 6QG, UK, ^b School of Postgraduate Medicine, Keele University, Thornburrow Drive, Hartshill, Stoke on Trent ST4 7QB, UK

Correspondence to: E Jones elizabethajones{at}yahoo.com

Accepted 14 June 2001

OBJECTIVESPrimary: to compare sequential and simultaneous breast pumping on volume of milk expressed and its fat content. Secondary: to measure the effect of breast massage on milk volume and fat content.
DESIGNSequential randomised controlled trial.
SETTINGNeonatal intensive care unit, North Staffordshire Hospital NHS Trust.
SUBJECTSData on 36 women were analysed; 19 women used simultaneous pumping and 17 used sequential pumping.
INTERVENTIONSWomen were randomly allocated to use either simultaneous (both breasts simultaneously) or sequential (one breast then the other) milk expression. Stratification was used to ensure that the groups were balanced for parity and gestation. A crossover design was used for massage, with patients acting as their own controls. Women were randomly allocated to receive either massage or non-massage first.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURESVolume of milk expressed per expression and its fat content (estimated by the creamatocrit method).
RESULTSMilk yield per expression was: sequential pumping with no massage, 51.32 g (95% confidence interval (CI) 56.57 to 46.07); sequential pumping with massage, 78.71 g (95% CI 85.19 to 72.24); simultaneous pumping with no massage, 87.69 g (95% CI 96.80 to 78.57); simultaneous pumping with massage, 125.08 g (95% CI 140.43 to 109.74). The fat concentration in the milk was not affected by the increase in volume achieved by the interventions.
CONCLUSIONSThe results are unequivocal and show that simultaneous pumping is more effective at producing milk than sequential pumping and that breast massage has an additive effect, improving milk production in both groups. As frequent and efficient milk removal is essential for continued production of milk, mothers of preterm infants wishing to express milk for their sick babies should be taught these techniques.

Key messages Frequent and efficient milk removal is essential for the continued production of milk Breast massage and simultaneous pumping increase the volume of milk expressed in the immediate period after preterm delivery Fat content is also higher when simultaneous pumping is used Creamatocrit surveillance provides a positive tool to ensure effective milk expression

Keywords: lactation; milk production; preterm infants; premature

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© 2001 by Archives of Disease in Childhood
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