Support for breastfeeding of high risk neonates: perception of use of electric breast pumps among neonatal nurses and obstetric nurses

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the perception of use of electric breast pumps among neonatal nurses and obstetric nurses.
A questionnaire was administered to 1, 000 nurses who joined conferences or seminars held from December 2002 to March 2003. 403 responses (40%) were received. Of those replies 285 were analyzed, excluding students, teachers or administrators, and nurses who had no teaching experience for mothers of high risk neonates about expression of breast milk.
1) The participants were 285 in all and were composed of 157 neonatal nurses (55 %) and 128 obstetric nurses (45 %). 2) Both neonatal nurses and obstetric nurses, (60 % of each group), answered not to recommend electric breast pumps for mothers of high risk neonates. Electric breast pumps were not able to control pressure, or, pressed strongly around the cup. 3.18 % of neonatal nurses and 21 % of obstetric nurses answered that electric breast pumps were not recommended even if they would completely fill the requirements, because of “positive feeling of using hands”, “negative preconception of using mechanics”, and “financial difficulties”.
Through the study results, it was suggested that both neonatal nurses and obstetric nurses should have systematic study opportunities to understand well electric breast pumps in order to provide good advice for mothers of high risk neonates.