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2015 (English)In: Journal of Human Lactation, ISSN 0890-3344, E-ISSN 1552-5732, Vol. 31, no 3, p. 377-385Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
BACKGROUND:
Studies of breastfeeding patterns during preterm infants' first year of life are scarce but are important for providing breastfeeding mothers of preterm infants with optimal support.
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to describe breastfeeding patterns in preterm infants up to 1 year of corrected age.
METHODS:
As part of a larger study on kangaroo mother care in Sweden, a 24-hour breastfeeding diary was sent home after discharge from hospital, and at 2, 6, and 12 months of the infant's corrected age. Eighty-three mothers responded to the follow-up questionnaires, and the number of respondents to the breastfeeding diary was 48 at discharge, 43 at 2 months, 22 at 6 months, and 8 at 12 months. Infants were born at a median (range) gestational age of 32 (28-33) weeks. Breastfeeding patterns were analyzed according to durations, frequencies per 24 hours, and intervals between sessions.
RESULTS:
In exclusively breastfed infants, the median (range) breastfeeding session frequency was 14 (8-26) times per 24 hours including 4 (1-9) times per night after discharge (n = 24) and 10 (6-25) times per 24 hours including 2 (0-5) times per night at 2 months (n = 23). In partially breastfed infants, the median (range) frequency was 5 (1-14) times per 24 hours including 2 (0-4) times per night at 6 months (n = 20) and 5.5 (1-12) times per 24 hours including 2 (0-3) times per night at 12 months (n = 8).
CONCLUSION:
Mothers reported large variations in breastfeeding patterns, with higher median breastfeeding session frequencies than previously described in term infants in affluent settings.
National Category
Clinical Medicine Pediatrics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-254708 (URN)10.1177/0890334415586406 (DOI)000358070300010 ()25956792 (PubMedID)
Note
This study was supported by grants from the Regional Research Council in the Uppsala-Orebro region, Uppsala County Council, and Uppsala University Funds.
2015-06-102015-06-102020-10-14