Late Preterm Newborns: Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding Practices
Ieva Dijokienė1, Raminta Žemaitienė1, Dalia Stonienė1
1Department of Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania.
Insights
Successful breastfeeding in late preterm infants (LPIs) is linked to vaginal delivery, skin-to-skin contact, early rooming-in, and early breastfeeding initiation. Complementary feeding with vegetables began around 5 months for all LPIs.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric nutrition
- Lactation science
Background:
- Late preterm infants (LPIs) born between 34 and 36 weeks require specific attention for optimal development.
- Understanding factors influencing breastfeeding success in LPIs is crucial for public health initiatives.
- Complementary feeding practices in this vulnerable population need further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key factors associated with successful breastfeeding in late preterm infants (LPIs).
- To explore the timing and patterns of complementary feeding initiation in LPIs.
- To analyze the correlation between various factors and breastfeeding outcomes in LPIs.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study involving 222 infants born at 34+0 to 36+6 weeks gestational age.
- Follow-up until 12 months of age, examining breastfeeding initiation, duration, exclusivity, and complementary feeding times.
- Statistical analysis using the chi-square test to determine correlations (p < 0.05).
Main Results:
- A significant delay in breastfeeding initiation was observed in the 34+0+6 gestational age group (p < 0.001).
- The 36+0+6 group showed a higher exclusive breastfeeding rate at discharge (p < 0.001).
- No correlation found between exclusive breastfeeding duration and gestational age; complementary feeding started around 5 months, with vegetables introduced first.
Conclusions:
- Vaginal delivery, skin-to-skin contact, early rooming-in, and breastfeeding within 2 hours promote earlier initiation and longer duration of breastfeeding in LPIs.
- These factors are critical for enhancing breastfeeding success in late preterm infants.
- Early introduction of vegetables as the first complementary food is a common practice for LPIs.
Background:
The aim of this study is to identify factors associated with successful breastfeeding in late preterm infants (LPIs) and explore the initiation of complementary feeding; Methods: Prospective cohort study was conducted of infants born at 34+0 to 36+6 weeks gestational age in the Hospital of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics during 2020-2021. Families were followed up until the infants reached 12 months of age. Average breastfeeding initial time, average breastfeeding duration time, prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding and average solid-food feeding initiation time were examined. The correlations among factors that might affect breastfeeding rates were calculated using the chi-square test (p < 0.05); Results: In our study with 222 eligible participants, we observed a statistically significant delay in breastfeeding initiation only in the 34+0+6 gestational age group (p < 0.001). At discharge, the 36+0+6 group exhibited a significantly higher exclusive breastfeeding rate (p < 0.001). Over the first year, breastfeeding rates varied, with no correlation found between duration of exclusive breastfeeding and gestational age. Initial solid-food feeding times were similar across groups, and all infants were introduced to vegetables first; Conclusions: Vaginal delivery, skin-to-skin contact after birth, early rooming-in, and breastfeeding within 2 h after birth statistically significantly causes earlier breastfeeding initiation and longer duration of breastfeeding in LPIs. All infants began solid-food feeding at an average age of 5 months, with vegetables being the primary food choice.
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