Evaluating milk flow patterns using the high flow rate period during breast pumping.
- Resource Type
- Academic Journal
- Authors
- Idei Y; Research & Development Division, Pigeon Corporation, 6-20-4, Kinunodai, Tsukubamirai, Ibaraki 300-2495, Japan. Electronic address: yoko.idei@pigeon.com.; Ochiai Y; Research & Development Division, Pigeon Corporation, 6-20-4, Kinunodai, Tsukubamirai, Ibaraki 300-2495, Japan.; Yoshibe K; Research & Development Division, Pigeon Corporation, 6-20-4, Kinunodai, Tsukubamirai, Ibaraki 300-2495, Japan.; Kuroishi S; Research & Development Division, Pigeon Corporation, 6-20-4, Kinunodai, Tsukubamirai, Ibaraki 300-2495, Japan.; Takase M; Department of Paediatrics, Showa University School of Medicine, 1-5-8, Hatanodai, Shinagawa, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan.; Mizuno K; Department of Paediatrics, Showa University School of Medicine, 1-5-8, Hatanodai, Shinagawa, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan.
- Source
- Publisher: Churchill Livingstone Country of Publication: Scotland NLM ID: 8510930 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1532-3099 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 02666138 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Midwifery Subsets: MEDLINE
- Subject
- Language
- English
Problem: Breast pumping practices have scope for improvement.
Background: Breast milk weight measurement can be used to evaluate milk flow pattern dynamics during breast pumping.
Aim: To determine inter-individual differences in milk flow patterns and their practical implications based on high milk flow rate period (HFP) data among Japanese women expressing breast milk using an electric pump.
Methods: This cross-sectional, observational study analysed data from 19 women (33.0 ± 3.9 years) nursing 1-6-month-old infants and with previous breast milk expression experience. Breast milk was weighed continuously during a 15-min single-breast electric pumping session. The HFP features and flow rate time (≥0.1 g/s) were analysed to determine each individual's milk flow pattern.
Findings: The total expressed breast milk was 69.8 ± 42.5 g with a maximum individual flow rate of 0.5 ± 0.2 g/s. The breast milk yielded during the HFPs was 43.1 (34.4-81.3) g, accounting for 82.5 % (69.9-89.5 %) of the total expressed breast milk. HFP occurred 0-3 times during the 15-min session. Multiple discrete and continuous milk flow patterns were observed. Among those with discrete HFP, the HFP interval was 221 (68-371) s. Breast milk fat content changes and subjective residual milk measurements implied sufficient milk removal. A strong positive correlation was noted between HFP length and total breast milk expression volume.
Discussion: Individual differences in milk flow patterns were observed among the women using HFP. Milk flow patterns were consistent with previous reports.
Conclusion: Milk flow pattern data can be used to guide individualised lactation support.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: K.M. and M.T. received payment from Pigeon for advice and consultation, respectively.
(Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)