Supporting Breast Milk Expression During Mother-Infant Separation: A Scoping Review of Interventions, Technologies, and Service Delivery Models.
5 affiliations
- 1Escola Superior de Enfermagem São João de Deus, Universidade de Évora, 7000-811 Évora, Portugal.
- 2Unidade Local de Saúde do Alentejo Central, 7000-811 Évora, Portugal.
- 3Centro de Investigação, Inovação e Desenvolvimento em Enfermagem de Lisboa (CIDNUR), Escola Superior de Enfermagem da Universidade de Lisboa, 1600-190 Lisbon, Portugal.
- 4CrossI&D Lisbon Research Center, Escola Superior de Saúde da Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa-Lisboa, 1300-125 Lisbon, Portugal.
- 5Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Health (CIIS), Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 1649-023 Lisbon, Portugal.
Abstract
Background/objectives
Mother-infant separation can interrupt direct breastfeeding while lactation is being established. We mapped recent evaluations of strategies supporting milk expression during actual or anticipated separation.Methods
Following JBI guidance and PRISMA-ScR, we searched four databases for English-, Portuguese- or Spanish-language reports published in 2021-2026. Eligible sources evaluated a deliberately implemented technique, technology, equipment-access strategy, professional-education initiative or service change. One reviewer screened and charted the studies; a second reviewer verified decisions and charting, with disagreements resolved by consensus.Results
Twenty-nine reports representing 27 operational study families were included: 12 randomised, three non-randomised controlled and 12 uncontrolled, historical-comparison or descriptive studies. Digital and sensory approaches often improved anxiety, connection or acceptability, whereas effects on milk volume varied. Technique and equipment comparisons were inconsistent. Service changes were repeatedly associated with improved process outcomes, but all five studies in this domain used uncontrolled designs.Conclusions
No expression method was consistently superior. Early practical assistance, appropriate equipment access, individualised support and continuity across maternity and neonatal services appear important, but heterogeneous designs, short-term outcomes and uncontrolled evaluations limit conclusions about effectiveness.
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BibTeX
@article{silva2026supporting,
title = {{Supporting Breast Milk Expression During Mother-Infant Separation: A Scoping Review of Interventions, Technologies, and Service Delivery Models.}},
author = {Ana Catarina Silva and Sara Palma and Mónica Antunes},
journal = {Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/healthcare14193297},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42881736},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Supporting Breast Milk Expression During Mother-Infant Separation: A Scoping Review of Interventions, Technologies, and Service Delivery Models.
AU - Ana Catarina Silva
AU - Sara Palma
AU - Mónica Antunes
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/03
JO - Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
DO - 10.3390/healthcare14193297
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42881736
AB - Background/objectives Mother-infant separation can interrupt direct breastfeeding while lactation is being established. We mapped recent evaluations of strategies supporting milk expression during actual or anticipated separation.Methods Following JBI guidance and PRISMA-ScR, we searched four databases for English-, Portuguese- or Spanish-language reports published in 2021-2026. Eligible sources evaluated a deliberately implemented technique, technology, equipment-access strategy, professional-education initiative or service change. One reviewer screened and charted the studies; a second reviewer verified decisions and charting, with disagreements resolved by consensus.Results Twenty-nine reports representing 27 operational study families were included: 12 randomised, three non-randomised controlled and 12 uncontrolled, historical-comparison or descriptive studies. Digital and sensory approaches often improved anxiety, connection or acceptability, whereas effects on milk volume varied. Technique and equipment comparisons were inconsistent. Service changes were repeatedly associated with improved process outcomes, but all five studies in this domain used uncontrolled designs.Conclusions No expression method was consistently superior. Early practical assistance, appropriate equipment access, individualised support and continuity across maternity and neonatal services appear important, but heterogeneous designs, short-term outcomes and uncontrolled evaluations limit conclusions about effectiveness.
SN - 2227-9032
ER -