OBJECTIVE:

This study explores the congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) infant-mother dyad with regard to maternal lactation outcomes and infant exposure to a human milk diet.

STUDY DESIGN:

This was a retrospective descriptive cohort study conducted at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. A total of 149 infants born with CDH and admitted to the Newborn/Infant Intensive Care Unit (N/IICU) were included in the study.

RESULTS:

Of 149 mothers, 141 (95%) initiated pumping for their CDH infants. At discharge from the N/IICU, 79% (n = 118) of infants were being fed human milk. Among those discharged on human milk, 55% (n = 65) were discharged being fed unfortified human milk with 9% (n = 11) being fed unfortified maternal hind milk.

CONCLUSION:

This research demonstrates that mothers of CDH infants can effectively establish and maintain a complete milk supply and that the majority of infants with CDH can receive a human milk diet for the entire hospital stay.