The Impact of Online Breastfeeding Support Groups on Nutritional Support for Preterm Infants and Maternal Negative Emotions

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-3768.2025.04.003

Abstract：Objective To explore the impact of online breastfeeding support groups on nutritional support for preterm infants and maternal negative emotions. Methods Sixty preterm infants and their mothers hospitalized at the Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University from January to June 2024 were selected as the study subjects. They were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group using a random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. The control group received routine postpartum care and follow-up, while the observation group received online breastfeeding support group intervention in addition to the control group's interventions. The lactation onset time, milk volume at 14 days postpartum, exclusive breastfeeding rate, time to achieve adequate feeding for preterm infants, hospitalization duration, and postpartum depression scores of the mothers were compared between the two groups. Results There was no statistically significant difference in lactation onset time between the two groups (t=0.382, P=0.704). The milk volume at 14 days postpartum and exclusive breastfeeding rate in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (t=15.662, P<0.001; x2=4.344, P=0.037). The time to achieve adequate feeding and hospitalization duration for preterm infants in the observation group were shorter than those in the control group (t=5.365, P<0.001; t=14.450, P<0.001). The postpartum depression score of the mothers in the observation group was lower than that of the control group (t=17.535, P<0.001). Conclusion Implementing online breastfeeding support group activities is beneficial for increasing early milk production in mothers, improving the exclusive breastfeeding rate of preterm infants, helping preterm infants achieve scientific feeding, and effectively improving maternal postpartum negative emotions.