Work package B: Standard operating procedure (SOP) and educational training
We will develop a concept to support lactation and breastfeeding, adjusted for the NICU setting and preterm born VLBW infants. In addition, a review of current literature will be carried out to underline and adjust each of the steps indicated by the BFHI for the NICU setting by recent findings.The concept aims at: (i) the education and training of staff (WP B); and (ii) the provision of information to mothers at risk of having a prematurely born infant and to their partners (WP C). For this purpose, suitable methods and materials will be developed by expert researchers and iteratively agreed upon in a multi-professional team. As a main source to operationalise the breastfeeding and lactation support a comprehensive manual will be required, which will be the reference for education and training on HM, feeding and lactation of both staff members and mothers (and their partners). The first part of the manual will contain exhaustive information on HM, breastfeeding and lactation to support staff members during the (prepartal) education of mothers (parents). Therefore, evidence-based methods for lactation and breastfeeding support for mothers of preterm born infants will be presented. In the second part, the manual will compile methods for the supervision of mothers (parents) during their infants’ stay at the NICU and beyond. The development of the manual will be carried out by medical staff experienced in neonatology, under consideration of input from psychology, behavioural economics as well as pedagogy regarding how to ideally present content for maximal clarity and understanding.With the manual as a basis, a comprehensive concept for training and education of staff members will be developed. To identify comprehensive key areas of training, different perspectives will be harmonised in the aforementioned multi-professional team. Based on a cooperative effort, several approaches and corresponding materials for educational purposes for staff of NICUs, delivery rooms [Drawing on presentation-based educational videos, the Neo-MILK staff training will be designed to provide comprehensive education for health professionals on the anatomy and (patho-)physiology of lactation: (i) to achieve a uniform, high standard of knowledge and quality in the handling of HM; and (ii) to foster counselling and support for the mothers and their partners within the NICU. The training will consist of seven detailed modules and a condensed crash course module. It will be offered on a voluntary basis with videos being provided as an on-demand stream via a restricted area on the Neo-MILK project homepage. To obtain visibility among staff and to create an incentive to complete the training, a certificate for participating staff will be offered. To obtain the certificate on successful participation in the training, staff members need to complete a short quiz on the course contents. Furthermore, staff members who successfully participate in training will have the opportunity to be publicly recognised on a poster. Developed on empirical evidence on the effects of public recognition [In addition, further educational material such as illustrated informational posters for the NICU and gynaecological wards (e.g. ‘One Minute Wonder’ on initiation and maintenance of lactation) or ‘pocket knowledge’ flyers will be provided.