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. 2021 Apr;110(4):1209-1217.
doi: 10.1111/apa.15596. Epub 2020 Oct 8.

A shorter breastfeeding duration in late preterm infants than term infants during the first year

Rakel B Jonsdottir  1   2 , Helga Jonsdottir  2 , Brynja Orlygsdottir  2 , Renée Flacking  3
Affiliations

A shorter breastfeeding duration in late preterm infants than term infants during the first year

Rakel B Jonsdottir et al. Acta Paediatr. 2021 Apr.

Abstract

Aim: Little attention has been paid to breastfeeding late preterm (LPT) infants. This study compared breastfeeding, worries, depression and stress in mothers of LPT and term-born infants throughout the first year. We also described factors associated with shorter breastfeeding duration of LPT infants.

Methods: This longitudinal cohort study of the mothers of singleton infants-129 born LPT and 277 born at term-was conducted at Landspitali-The National University Hospital of Iceland, which has the country's only neonatal intensive care unit. The mothers answered questionnaires when their infants were 1, 4, 8 and 12 months of age.

Results: Mothers breastfed LPT infants for a significantly shorter time than term infants: a median of 7 months (95% confidence interval 5.53-8.48) vs 9 months (95% confidence interval 8.39-9.61) (P < .05). Starting solids at up to 4 months was the strongest risk factor for LPT breastfeeding cessation during the first year, after adjusting for confounders (P < .001). Their mothers reported more worries about their infants' health and behaviour during the first year and were more likely to experience depression at 4 months.

Conclusion: Mothers with LPT infants are vulnerable and need greater practical breastfeeding and emotional support in hospital and at home.

Keywords: depression; exclusive breastfeeding; gestational age; late preterm; well-being.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Exclusive and any breastfeeding in late preterm (n = 129) and term (n = 277) infants throughout the first year
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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