Association of serum prolactin and oxytocin with milk production in mothers of preterm and term infants.
The present study was designed to compare milk production and hormone responses (prolactin [PRL], oxytocin [OT]) and to determine associations of hormone levels with milk production in mothers of preterm (PT) and term (TM) infants during the first 6 weeks postpartum. Mothers of PT infants (n = 95) were all pump dependent; mothers of TM infants (n = 98) were all feeding their infant at breast. Mothers of nonnursing PT infants produced less milk over time compared to mothers of TM infants. A higher proportion of PT mothers had lower basal PRL levels compared with TM mothers. PRL and frequency of breast stimulation combined positively influenced milk production in PT mothers. OT levels were higher in PT versus TM mothers, but OT was not related to milk production. Further study is warranted regarding interventions to enhance milk production, particularly in pump-dependent mothers of PT infants.
Hill
Pamela D
PD
College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois 61265, USA. phill@uic.edu
Aldag
Jean C
JC
Demirtas
Hakan
H
Naeem
Villian
V
Parker
Noah P
NP
Zinaman
Michael J
MJ
Chatterton
Robert T
RT
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007775:Lactation Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000503:physiopathology; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000503:physiopathology; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013391:Sucking Behavior; D013396:Suction
D010121:Oxytocin; D011388:Prolactin