Leveraging mHealth and a Milk Expression Frequency Biomarker During Postpartum to Prolong Lactation Among Parents of Critically Ill Infants: A Pilot Study

Abstract Objective: To assess the feasibility and potential benefits of personalized biomarker-based text messages in prolonging lactation among parents of critically ill infants. Study Design: Thirty-six participants were randomized to receive either daily texts with Mother’s Own Milk (MOM) sodium levels or standard care. Surveys at months 1 and 3 assessed whether infants were receiving exclusive MOM feeding, any MOM feeding, and whether the parent was still lactating. Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests were used for survival analysis within and between intervention and control groups. Results: Participants were predominantly on Medicaid (72%), delivered infants < 1500g, and by c-section (56%). Survival probabilities at month 3 suggest prolonged MOM feeding (63% [.95CI, .43-.91] vs 41% [.95CI, .21-.67]) and lactation (63% [.95CI, .42-.95] vs 37% [.95CI, .18-.76]) in the enhanced group compared to the control group. Conclusion: Personalized biomarker-based text messages are feasible and may prolong lactation and MOM feeding among parents of critically ill infants.