| EdITS Home / Index of Articles |
|
MAACL-R Used to Evaluate Stress in Milk Production |
| A recent study used the Multiple Affect Checklist-Revised (MAACL-R) to assess the effects of stress on milk production in mothers of preterm infants. This study was described by Dr. Nancy Wight in the June issue of Breastfeeding Update, a San Diego County breastfeeding coalition newsletter. The study addressed the problem that mothers of preterm infants have in establishing and maintaining their milk supply. It has been hypothesized that this difficulty is because of stress caused by having an infant in the neonatal intensive care unit. |
 |
|
Also, the problem is worsenedbecause the mothers must rely on mechanical pumping devices instead of the stimulation of the feeding babies for milk production.Thirty-nine mothers of preterm infants participated in this study. Each was instructed in milk pumping protocol. One purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between milk production, prolactin (PRL), and oxytocin levels and measures of stress. The MAACL-R was used as one measure of stress. The MAACL-R measures Anxiety, Depression and Hostility. Surprisingly, there was no correlation between milk volume and stress as measured by the MAACL-R. There was a positive correlation between oxytocin and milk production. The researchers found that milk production was increased when the women single pumped more often or double pumped than when they just single pumped less often. Wight concluded in her article that “We don’t understand all the hormonal components of milk production or stress, but more pumping is better, and double pumping may be better than single pumping. Mothers of preterm infants should be expected to produce the same amount of milk as mothers of term infants.” References EdITS / P.O. Box 7234 / San Diego, CA 92167 / 800-416-1666 / 619-222-1666 / Fax 619-226-1666 |