Achieving Secretory Activation Pumping Should Mirror the Infant: Optimizing Mammary Gland Stimulation and Milk Removal During the Early Postpartum Period for NICU Moms

Course description

Emerging evidence indicates that achievement of secretory activation and coming to volume, events that occur during the first two weeks postpartum, are fundamental to continued lactation. 

The biologic underpinnings of the transition from secretory differentiation to secretory activation and coming to volume are extraordinarily complex, and are poorly understood by many clinicians, especially with respect to integrating them into best practices. 

Patterns of infant suckling and milk removal during this critical stage have been relatively well-studied and mirror the biology of the mammary gland.  However, there are often ideological barriers to adapting these patterns for breast pump dependent mothers with NICU infants. 

This presentation summarizes the biology of secretory activation, effective and efficient milk removal, and achievement of coming to volume.  Also introduced for the first time are personalized point-of-care instruments designed to measure and mirror these biologic processes. 

Dr. Paula Meier

Paula Meier, PhD, RN, is a Professor of Pediatrics and Nursing at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Dr. Meier has worked as a practitioner, researcher, and educator in the area of human milk, lactation and breastfeeding for premature infants and their mothers since 1975.

She spearheaded the multidisciplinary Rush University NICU Human Milk Research Team that has conducted numerous externally-funded translational research and demonstration projects focused on the removal of barriers to high-dose, long-exposure mothers' own milk feedings for NICU infants.

Dr. Meier has published over 300 peer-reviewed manuscripts and parent educational materials and has mentored graduate students from a multitude of disciplines.