Background: The experiences of families in the intensive care unit can positively or negatively influence lactation. Mothers with infants in the neonatal intensive care unit should be provided with care that will increase the amount of human milk and duration of lactation. Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the effects of Lactation Management Model (LMM)-based care on maternal anxiety, human milk volume, breastfeeding duration, and exclusive breastfeeding among mothers of infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. Methods: It is a randomized controlled trial study. Prior to education, participants filled out an introductory form and informed consent form. The experiment group received care technique according to the LMM for 3 days. The content of the LMM includes skin-to-skin contact, warm compress application to the breast, relaxation, breast massage, and process monitoring. All mothers were followed up face-to-face by researchers for the first 3 days and then daily until the infant’s discharge, by telephone follow-up at 1, 2, and 3 months after discharge. Results: The anxiety level of the experiment group (39.8 ± 5.45) was found to be higher. Infant Milk Intake Assessment Form score at the first (8.15 ± 2.21), second (9.90 ± 0.38), and third months (9.68 ± 0.47) were higher in the experiment group. It was observed that the change in weight of infants in the experiment group at the first (3562.00 ± 669.70), second (4573.75 ± 520.35), and third months (5818.75 ± 534.30) was greater compared to the control group. Implications for Practice and Research: Expanding care based on the LMM positively affects exclusive lactation and lactation rates.
Eker et al. (Fri,) studied this question.