Nurse Leads Development of Breastfeeding App and Outpatient Services for Moms of Babies Leaving NICU

When tasked with the duty of addressing a dramatic drop-off in breastfeeding rates after moms and babies were released from the NICU, Sara Rosenbaum saw an opportunity to build a community of breastfeeding support with outpatient services, including a breastfeeding app for smart phones.

Rosenbaum is Adventist Hinsdale Hospital’s regional obstetrical educator. Adventist has an 85 percent breastfeeding initiation rate at the time of NICU discharge, but the number drops to 21 percent after the mother and baby go home, Advance Healthcare Network for Nurses reports.

With grant money from CREATION Health, Rosenbaum worked with a mobile developer to create a smart phone app in both English and Spanish for new moms whose babies have been in NICU. The app will be able to be used in conjunction with a breastfeeding clinic and boutique on the grounds of Adventist Hinsdale.

Rosenbaum’s app will include reminder timers, a pumping schedule, and the ability to record the amount of milk the baby receives. “Moms can switch from NICU mode to a regular breastfeeding mode where they can track the number of wet diapers, which breast the baby fed from last, etc,” she told Advance Healthcare Network for Nurses.

A question and answer section will also be available on the app, with an appointment feature to book follow-up visits at the breastfeeding clinic and boutique. The boutique will have pumps, rentals, and other breastfeeding supplies available.

INQRI has funded several research teams that have created innovations to improve patient outcomes. Among them is a study led by Tracey Yap that involved developing a protocol to reduce pressure ulcers among long-term care residents. The “Interdisciplinary Mobility Team Approach to Reduction of Facility-Acquired Pressure Ulcers” included using music played at regular intervals to remind long-term care staff to encourage residents to move, or more those who could not move of their own accord, to avoid pressure ulcers.

Breastfeeding Tied To Lower Blood Pressure Risk

Following up on our post from Monday, a new study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, found that mothers who breastfeed for the recommended period of time, at least six months exclusively, may have a somewhat lower risk of developing high blood pressure later on in life. The study, which observed over 55,000 women, adds to evidence that breastfeeding might have benefits for mothers as well as babies.

Click here to read Reuters' coverage of the study.

Click here to read the journal article (subscription required).

Click here if you missed Monday's blogpost and want to find out more information about online communities that encourage the sharing of breast milk.

Online Communities Allow Memphis-Area Nursing Women To Share Milk Supply

New mothers living in the Memphis area now have an online resource to look for advice, share stories and even share breast milk. Lindsay Melvin, of The Commercial Appeal, detailed how online milk sharing is becoming a popular resource for mothers who are unable to provide their baby with enough breast milk. Ms. Melvin discussed the growing influence and use of websites such as Eats on Feets and Human Milk 4 Human Babies that connect mothers' with an abundant supply of breast milk to other mothers who are unable to produce enough for their newborn. This innovative, community based approach is available in many cities nationwide and we recommend that you forward these websites to any new mother you think may be interested in participating.

Click here to read the full article.