Outcome the development of a program to promote breastfeeding in critical neonates Mukdahan Hospital

Abstract

Objectives: This research aimed to: (1) develop a breastfeeding promotion program for critically ill neonates, (2) evaluate the effects of the program, and (3) assess maternal satisfaction toward the program.
Methods: This developmental research was conducted from March 2025 to January 2026. The participants consisted of 80 mothers of critically ill neonates selected by purposive sampling and divided into an experimental group (n = 40) and a control group (n = 40). In addition, seven professional nurses participated in the implementation of the program. The research instruments included: (1) the breastfeeding promotion program for critically ill neonates, and (2) data collection tools consisting of a maternal and neonatal demographic questionnaire and a maternal breastfeeding behavior assessment form. The program was developed in three phases based on the quality improvement cycle: Phase 1, situation analysis and problem identification within the clinical context ; Phase 2, program development; and Phase 3, program implementation and evaluation. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics including paired samples t-test and independent samples t-test.
Results: The developed program, named the Mukdahan NICU Mom’s Milk Boost Program, significantly improved nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and satisfaction regarding breastfeeding promotion after training (p < .001), and nurses were able to correctly implement all program procedures. Mothers in the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher breastfeeding attitudes (p < .001) and reported very high satisfaction, with 86.5% rating the program at the highest level. The rate of breast milk feeding during the last 24 hours before discharge was 90.7%. In addition, the mean breastfeeding behavior score among mothers in the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p < .001).
Conclusions: The findings suggest that the breastfeeding promotion program effectively increases breast milk feeding among critically ill neonates. The program should be implemented in NICU and continued after discharge for sustained breastfeeding at home.