Factors associated with partial direct breastfeeding at discharge of preterm infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: a cohort study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objective To investigate the associations between clinical practices for facilitating breastfeeding and partial direct breastfeeding (defined as at least three direct breastfeeds) at discharge in preterm infants in Hohhot, China.Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted involving 373 preterm infants admitted to the NICU in Hohhot from June 2023 to December 2024. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the factors associated with partial direct breastfeeding at discharge.Results The overall prevalence of partial direct breastfeeding at discharge among preterm infants was 56.8% (212/373). Multivariate analysis indicated that lower birth weight (OR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.55–6.28) and lower maternal breastfeeding confidence (OR = 5.36, 95% CI: 2.39–12.05) were significantly associated with failure of partial direct breastfeeding at discharge. In contrast, normal breast development (OR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.08–0.45) and a shorter time to achieve full oral feeding (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.80–0.94) were identified as protective factors for partial direct breastfeeding at discharge (all p < 0.001). Sufficient milk volume at discharge (OR = 1.68, 95% CI: 0.79–3.57; p = 0.180) and time to achieve full enteral nutrition (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.99–1.06; p = 0.095) were not significantly associated with the outcome in the final model.Conclusion Preterm infants with lower birth weight and mothers with lower breastfeeding confidence may require additional clinical support. Normal breast development and earlier achievement of full oral feeding were associated with higher rates of partial direct breastfeeding at discharge.
Authors: Le Xing, Fei Yan, Yuling Zhang, Li Xu, Huan Zhao, Ting Jiang
Institution: Inner Mongolia Medical University
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7161485613