[Preterm infants: breastfeeding and weight gain]

The objective was to identify factors associated with the practice of breastfeeding (BF), weight gain and nutritional status of preterm infants during the first six months of life and verify the relationship between these variables and maternal and neonatal characteristics. Analytical studies, cohort, performed with 42 preterm infants born between May and October 2008. The prevalence of BF was 40.5% at six months and mean weight gain ranged between 18 and 40 g/day. The practice of BF was associated with lower weight and lower gestational age at birth. Weight gain was positively correlated with gestational age and birth weight, maternal age and the practice of breastfeeding at 15 days after discharge. Being premature has not stopped the practice of BF; however, weight gain was higher among those born with better growth and maturation in utero.