P3.A015: The LATCH Program In-Person Support Group: Improving Lactation Support During NICU Stay

Purpose/Objectives: Breast milk is widely known to be the best source of nutrition for both term and preterm infants. At our institution, about 40-60% of our NICU infants have feeds consisting of at least 50% of their mother's milk after 7 days of age. To increase rates of NICU breast milk feeding, we started the Lactation Advocacy Through Continuous Help (LATCH) program as a QI project in 2022. Our main goal is to provide weekly lactation support to parents of NICU infants born < 33 weeks gestation through weekly check-ins from medical students who are Certified Lactation Counselors (CLCs). After promising preliminary results of the LATCH program, we started an in-person support group to troubleshoot lactation problems and to encourage camaraderie amongst NICU mothers when their journey may feel overwhelming.

Design/Methods: All mothers with infants admitted in the NICU are eligible to participate in this program. Mothers take a pre and post survey each time they attend a support session. Drop-in hours occur twice weekly and aim to answer questions and provide education on various lactation topics including the benefits of providing breast milk, breast pump troubleshooting, proper handling and transporting of milk to the NICU, and common issues pumping parents experience. The program was designed in hopes of fostering a supportive community where lactating parents can share their experiences, ask CLCs questions, and journal about their lactation journey.

Results: Since starting the program in October 2023, six mothers have participated in the lactation support sessions. Pre-survey data show that 100% of the moms have described their lactation journey as challenging. In an open response format when moms were asked what they hoped to gain from the sessions, we received responses such as help with nursing and how to produce more milk. We asked moms to describe how they were feeling after attending the support session in post-surveys, and 100% of moms said they felt either “supported” or “understood.” When asked about topic suggestions for future sessions, responses included transitioning infants from bottle to breast, developing a positive pumping experience and helping premature babies with latching. Based on preliminary data, LATCH support sessions will support the overall goal of increasing breast milk feedings in the NICU.

Conclusion/Discussion: We believe expanding the LATCH program to provide in-person support groups has improved mothers’ confidence and commitment to their lactation journeys. We will continue to tailor our drop-in hours to the needs of mothers who attend. We expect to see an increase in the rates of infants getting >50% breast milk in the NICU at our institution and believe this program will continue to facilitate a supportive community for the mothers who have infants with extended NICU stays.