To examine breastfeeding exclusivity and intensity of early term (ET) infants, born at 37–38 weeks, and term infants, born at 39–41 weeks, during the postpartum hospitalization and the first month of life.
Materials and Methods:
This was a prospective cohort study of 358 mothers of ET and term infants during the first 72 hours after birth and at 1 month of age. Logistic analysis was used to calculate unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and control for confounding variables.
Results:
ET infants had significantly lower breastfeeding in the first hour (aOR = 0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.21–0.87), lower exclusive breastfeeding in the hospital and at 1 month (aOR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.27–0.71 and aOR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.22–0.71), and lower rates of high breastfeeding intensity in the hospital and at 1 month (aOR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.22–0.71 and aOR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.15–0.72), after controlling for confounding variables. ET infants had more emergency room (ER) visits in the first month (OR = 7.6, 95% CI = 1.01–60.6), and all ET infants who had ER visits were exclusively breastfed.
Conclusions:
ET infants had lower breastfeeding in the hospital and at 1 month. They should be regarded as a group at risk for breastfeeding challenges and infant morbidity.
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