PURPOSE: A pilot study was conducted to assess the acceptability and feasibility of a breast milk expression education and support intervention in mothers of preterm infants and study procedures.
SUBJECTS: Forty mothers of preterm infants born at less than 30 weeks of gestation.
DESIGN: Pilot randomized controlled trial.
METHODS: Mothers of preterm infants were randomly allocated to the breast milk expression education and support intervention or standard care. The experimental intervention encompassed a breast milk expression education session on 7 themes, telephone follow-up, and telephone helpline.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Data related to the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention and study procedures were collected throughout the study. At the end of the study, mothers allocated to the experimental intervention completed a self-report questionnaire assessing the acceptability of each of the intervention components.
RESULTS: It was feasible to recruit 70% of eligible mothers and retain 83% of mothers who consented to participate in the study. Mothers reported that all the intervention components were appropriate and effective in supporting their breast milk production. Although the reliability of the data collection method was demonstrated, the fidelity of the telephone follow-up faced some challenges.
CONCLUSIONS: Both the intervention and study procedures were acceptable and feasible. Improvements related to the fidelity of the intervention would ensure the feasibility and internal validity of a larger-scale trial.