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

Jónsdóttir, Rakel BjörgJónsdóttir, HelgaÖrlygsdóttir, BrynjaFlacking, Renée2025-11-202025-11-202021-04Jónsdóttir, R B, Jónsdóttir, H, Örlygsdóttir, B & Flacking, R 2021, 'A shorter breastfeeding duration in late preterm infants than term infants during the first year', Acta Paediatrica, International Journal of Paediatrics, vol. 110, no. 4, pp. 1209-1217. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.155960803-525335023715f463e304-02f1-4abe-9f54-04b3131d21508509216269432979246https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/6230Funding information: The Icelandic Nurses Association Science Fund, Grant/Award Number: 41180 and 31878; Landspitali University Hospital Science Fund, Grant/Award Number: A-2014-078 and A-2015-069 Publisher Copyright: ©2020 The Authors. Acta Paediatrica Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Foundation Acta PaediatricaAIM: 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.97420981209-1217eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessdepressionexclusive breastfeedinggestational agelate pretermwell-beingHumansBreast FeedingInfantMothersIcelandInfant, PrematureFemaleLongitudinal StudiesInfant, NewbornPediatrics, Perinatology and Child HealthA shorter breastfeeding duration in late preterm infants than term infants during the first year/dk/atira/pure/researchoutput/researchoutputtypes/contributiontojournal/article10.1111/apa.15596