Effects of a feasible supportive care program on breastfeeding behaviors and neonatal outcomes among the late preterm newborns in the south east of Iran

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization, different strategies should be examined targeting towards the improvement of the neonatal outcomes among the (late) preterm newborns in different contexts. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of a feasible supportive care program on the breastfeeding behaviors and neonatal outcomes in the late preterm neonates. This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 80 mothers and their late preterm babies who were delivered and admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. While the intervention group received a supportive care program, the control group received the routine care. According to the results of the study, the intervention improved the breastfeeding. In addition, the newborns were demonstrated to gain more weight and experience lower readmission rate after two months. This study provided evidence that supportive program could improve the breastfeeding and neonatal growth and decrease their morbidity.