Abstract
The late preterm infant population is increasing globally. Many studies show that late preterm infants are at risk of experiencing challenges common to premature babies, with breastfeeding issues being one of the most common. In this study, we investigated factors and variables that could interfere with breastfeeding initiation and duration in this population. We conducted a prospective observational study, in which we administered questionnaires on breastfeeding variables and habits to mothers of late preterm infants who were delivered in the well-baby nursery of our hospital and followed up for three months after delivery. We enrolled 149 mothers and 189 neonates, including 40 pairs of twins. Our findings showed that late preterm infants had a low rate of breastfeeding initiation and early breastfeeding discontinuation at 15, 40 and 90 days of life. The mothers with higher educational levels and previous positive breastfeeding experience had a longer breastfeeding duration. The negative factors for breastfeeding were the following: Advanced maternal age, Italian ethnicity, the feeling of reduced milk supply and having twins. This study underlines the importance of considering these variables in the promotion and protection of breastfeeding in this vulnerable population, thus offering mothers tailored support.
Highlights
Late preterms are defined as infants born from 34 0/7 to 36 6/7 weeks of gestational age (GA)and comprise approximately 75% of all preterm births [1]
Kair et al determined barriers and facilitators of breastfeeding continuation among a large cohort of late preterm infants and compared preterm infants admitted to the well-baby nursery to those admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), concluding that NICU admission was not associated with early breastfeeding cessation [6]
The experience of breastfeeding late preterm infants was investigated in a cohort of 44 mothers who were interviewed by phone up to 12 months after delivery [9]
Summary
Late preterms are defined as infants born from 34 0/7 to 36 6/7 weeks of gestational age (GA)and comprise approximately 75% of all preterm births [1]. Compared with infants born at term, late preterm infants are at increased risk of neonatal morbidity (i.e., hypoglycemia, hypothermia, jaundice, delayed oral feeding, readmission to the hospital, transient tachypnoea, neuro-developmental delays and mortality) [2]. This population has immature organs and systems, including the brain; a compromised immunomodulatory response; and an increased susceptibility to inflammatory injury and oxidative stress [4,5]. Difficulties in latching, feelings of failure, and inadequate lactation support from health care providers after discharge have been identified as the most challenging difficulties encountered by the mothers [9]
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