Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding after hospitalization in neonatal care unit

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Define the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding among patients that received discharge in breastfeeding, exclusive or complementing with formula, 15 days after discharge from the neonatal unit and the related factors. METHODS: Observational, descriptive, prospective study, including newborns hospitalized in the Neonatal Unit who were discharged in breastfeeding, exclusive or mixed with formula, during the period from May to July, 2019. Fifteen days after hospital discharge, it was made a phone contact to the mother asking about the type of feeding in that moment. RESULTS: The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding 15 days after hospital discharge was 62.3%. Birthweight and gestational age were significantly higher and the length of stay was smaller in the group being exclusively breastfed 15 days after discharge (p<0.05). There was a positive correlation between exclusive breastfeeding by hospital discharge and exclusive breastfeeding 15 days after discharge (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Initiating and maintaining breastfeeding for newborns who need hospitalization for healthcare is a challenge and requires all the efforts in terms of structure and process. Factors such as birthweight, gestational age and length of hospital stay have influence on the prevalence of breastfeeding after discharge. Exclusive breastfeeding by the hospital discharge has favored breastfeeding 15 days after discharge.