Social Representations of Bedside Milk Expression Among Mothers of Preterm Newborns in Neonatal Intensive Care Units.
Ana Karen de Sousa Alves, Ana Paula Melo Façanha, Elaine Meireles Castro and 6 others
PMID 40955769WHAT IT FOUND
Mothers described bedside milk expression as bonding and protection, but cramped space, staff shortages, procedures and shame hindered it.
They said proactive nursing support and clear information helped them feel capable and continue.
Key findings
01Nineteen mothers were interviewed, and ten had never performed bedside milk expression; seven did not practise it and were unaware of its meaning, while only nine accurately defined it.
02Mothers described bedside milk expression as bonding and protection, but reported barriers including limited designated spaces and chairs, medical procedures during sessions, delays from staff shortages, shame around male staff and fathers, and overcrowding.
03Supportive nursing staff helped mothers feel calm and confident, while lack of proactive guidance made them feel unmotivated and afraid they would not succeed.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Single referral maternity hospital in Fortaleza, Brazil, so context may not apply elsewhere. Convenience sample of mothers, not generalizable. No nurses, physicians, families or infants were interviewed, so team perspectives and actual care delivery are absent. Self-reported perceptions, not observed bedside milk expression or infant outcomes. Qualitative design cannot establish efficacy of support strategies.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. Funding was from Brazilian government agencies: Ministério da Educação, Fundação Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read mothers' reports of nursing support and barriers as proof that bedside milk expression improves infant outcomes or that a training intervention works. The study described perceptions only and did not test the practice or any intervention.