Late Preterm Newborns: Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding Practices

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.