Impact of NICU admission on Colorado-born late preterm infants: breastfeeding initiation, continuation and in-hospital breastfeeding practices. (May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hannan, Kathleen; Juhl, Ashley; Hwang, Sunah
• Is Part Of: Journal of perinatology. Volume 38:Number 5(2018)
• Page Start: 557
• Page End: 566
• Publication Date: 2018-05
• Subjects: Perinatology -- Periodicals; 618.32005
• DOI: 10.1038/s41372-018-0042-x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0743-8346

Abstract

Abstract Objective: Compare breastfeeding initiation and continuation rates, and in-hospital breastfeeding practices, of late preterm infants (LPIs) cared for in a NICU versus those cared for exclusively in the nursery (non-NICU). Study design: Using data from the 2009–2014 Colorado Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), breastfeeding initiation, continuation, and in-hospital breastfeeding practices of NICU versus non-NICU LPIs (34 0/7 to 36 6/7 weeks gestation, n = 20, 767) were analyzed, and multivariate models were created controlling for maternal and infant characteristics. Results: Mothers of NICU LPIs were equally likely to initiate breastfeeding (APR 1.0; 95% CI 0.95–1.06) but less likely to continue breastfeeding at 10 weeks (APR 0.86; 95% CI 0.76–0.99) compared to mothers of non-NICU LPIs. Mothers of NICU LPIs were less likely to breastfeed in the hospital, less likely to be told to feed infants on demand, and more likely to be given a breast pump during hospitalization. Conclusions: There are significant differences in both breastfeeding continuation and several in-hospital breastfeeding practices for NICU versus non-NICU LPIs. Further research is needed so that targeted policies and programs can be developed to improve breastfeeding rates in this vulnerable population.