EBM for ORAL CARE in YOUR unit

[EmilyPeruana]

Is YOUR unit using colostrum or breast milk for oral care since some VAP care packs have been discontinued or the companies manufacturing them have gone out of business?

I've read some articles recently (one from nann) about using colostrum and EBM for oral care aimed at VAP. I have pitched the idea to our nurse educators and one attending, and I have their full support. I want to propose it to our chief of nurseries next week.

Does anyone have any other articles or studies?

Also, if you use it in your unit, what is the set procedure you use? Do you swab it around their mouth, then suction? Do you watch it down with sterile water? Do you swab the breast milk in their mouth and then swab with sterile water so it won't leave their mouths sticky? How much do you use? Do you suction afterwards? Do you send parents home with a few syringes?

I'm really excited about this proposal, especially since I've only been a NICU nurse for 2.5 years! I really think the unit will be accepting of this, especially since it's natural and FREE! It should also serve as a further encouragement to moms to pump since it may help prevent VAP!

Please post any suggestions/responses to the above questions!

Thanks!

[LoveANurse09]

There was a recent thread on this with an article link.

[EmilyPeruana]

yes, i have the nann article that was posted in that thread. just looking for additional ones. and information on exact practices/procedures in other units as i develop a proposal for our unit.

[jlb_rn]

our unit follows the instructions noted in the article with regard to frequency and procedure for our NPO kiddos (ventilated or not).

also, at the end of the NANN article, there are reference articles - perhaps you could do a lit search for those articles for additional information.

good luck :)

[Marymoomoo]

If you're subcribed to LACTNET (an email loop for sharing and asking questions about lactation info/research), you could try searching the archives there or posting.