Factors Affecting Breastfeeding Outcomes at Six Months in Preterm Infants

Abstract

Background: Preterm mother-infant dyads often face many obstacles to breastfeeding. Preterm infants are at highest risk for low rates of exclusive breastfeeding. Research Aim: To determine the prevalence of breastfeeding at 6 months among preterm infants and to identify factors that influenced mothers’ breastfeeding practices. Methods: A longitudinal observational study was conducted in a metropolitan hospital in Beijing, China. Mothers (N = 270) and their preterm infants (N = 280) were included in the study. Characteristics of preterm mothers and their perceptions of breastfeeding self-efficacy, knowledge, social support, and postpartum depression symptoms were measured at the discharge of neonatal intensive care. Breastfeeding data were collected by phone interview at 6 months corrected age. Results: At discharge, mothers of very preterm infants perceived a lower level of breastfeeding self-efficacy (measured with the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale–Short Form) and had a higher level of depression symptoms (measured with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale [EPDS]) than mothers of moderate and late preterm infants (p