Breast Feeding Rates and Factors Influencing Breast Feeding Practice in Late Preterm Infants: Comparison with Preterm Born at Less than 34 Weeks of Gestational Age

Abstract

Purpose: This study was done to compare breast feeding rates and factors influencing feeding practice between late preterm (34≤ GA< 37) and preterm infants (GA< 34). Methods: A survey was done of 207 late preterm and 117 preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) of 4 university hospitals in D city. Data were collected from July 2009 to June 2010 from 324 medical records in the NICU. Breast-feeding at home was checked either by telephone survey or questioning during hospital visits. Results: Rate of breast feeding for late preterm infants was significantly lower than for preterm infants. There was no significant difference in breast-feeding at home. We found differences in factors influencing breast feeding between the two groups. Factors influencing feeding for late preterm infants were type of delivery, mothers' occupation, feeding type during hospitalization, time elapse from hospital discharge, total admission days, infant's body weight at first feeding and length of NPO (nothing by mouth). Factors influencing feeding for preterm infants were birth order, maternal disease and obstetric complications, and one-minute Apgar score. Conclusion: Results of the study show low rates of breast-feeding for late preterm infants indicating a need for breast-feeding education for mothers of these infants.

Healthy late preterm infants and supplementary artificial milk feeds: Effects on breast feeding and associated clinical parameters

“…Despite the risks associated with prematurity, these infants are often managed in postnatal units instead of special units with qualified health-care professionals assigned to LPI care during the immediate postpartum recovery period following birth (Engle et al, 2007;Phillips et al, 2013). A lower breast-feeding prevalence has been reported for LPIs in comparison with term infants (Demirci et al, 2013) and preterm infants born at less than 34 weeks of GA (Jang et al, 2012).…”

Breastfeeding progression in late preterm infants from birth to one month

“…Given the known short‐ and long‐term consequences of LPT births and the maternal and infant health benefits of breastfeeding (Victora et al, ), it is a concern that several studies have reported lower rates of breastfeeding initiation and a shorter duration of breastfeeding in LPT infants not only compared with term infants (Ayton, Hansen, Quinn, & Nelson, ; Demirci, Sereika, & Bogen, ; Donath & Amir, ; Goyal, Attanasio, & Kozhimannil, ; Hackman, Alligood‐Percoco, Martin, Zhu, & Kjerulff, ; Rayfield, Oakley, & Quigley, ), but also compared with more preterm infants (Jang, Lee, & Kim, ). There are numerous possible reasons for these differences in breastfeeding, for example, maternal health problems, delayed maternal lactogenesis, infants' medical problems, and immaturity.…”

Breastfeeding Continuation Among Late Preterm Infants: Barriers, Facilitators, and Any Association With NICU Admission?

“…[2][3][4] Previous studies have shown that breastfeeding rates among late preterm infants (ie, those born at 34-36 6/7 weeks' gestation) are lower than rates among earlier preterm infants. [5][6][7][8] Very premature infants are at a higher risk of several morbidities, including necrotizing enterocolitis; it is thus possible that health care providers are more motivated to ensure early breast milk feeding for these infants. Some late preterm infants are otherwise healthy at birth and receive their newborn care in the well nursery, whereas others require neonatal intensive care due to hypothermia, hypoglycemia, respiratory support, infection, feeding difficulties, or other medical problems.…”