2020, Vol. 2, Issue 1, Part A

author(s)
Amna Nagaty Aboelmagd and Asmaa Hamed Tawfic

abstract
Human milk has specific immunological, growth, and developmental benefits. To receive both nutritional and immunological advantages, expressing breast milk during the postnatal phase may be difficult. However, in such a case, breast milk, fresh or frozen, may still be an alternative. This study aimed to assess neonatal intensive care nurses' performance regarding expression and storage of breast milk. A descriptive research design was used in a neonatal intensive care unit at Minia University Hospital for obstetrics and pediatrics. All nurses who are working in the previous setting. A structured interview questionnaire consisted of two tools was used. Results: 55.0% of the studied nurses had average knowledge regarding breast milk storage, and 32.5% had good reported practice regarding expression and storage of breast milk. Also, 76.9% of the studied nurses who had a good level of reported practices regarding expression and storage of breast milk, their experience was less than one year with statistically significant difference. So, this study concluded that more than half of the studied nurses had an average total knowledge level, and more than two-thirds of them had poor reported total practices regarding expression and storage of breast milk. Recommendation: Health education sessions for neonatal intensive care nurses regarding express breastfeeding and storage of breast milk, especially preparation for breast milk storage, valid duration, and methods of breast milk storage.