Ying Wang1, Carrie-Ellen Briere2, Wanli Xu3, Xiaomei Cong3. 1. 1 Department of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. 2. 2 College of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA. 3. 3 School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
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 < .05-.01). Nearly half of all mothers had an elevated EPDS score, considered to be symptomatic of postpartum depression. At 6 months, only 22.5% of all infants were exclusively breastfeeding. Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding, including younger maternal age, previous breastfeeding experience, shorter mother-infant separation time during intensive care, older infant gestational age, and a higher level of breastfeeding self-efficacy, significantly predicted exclusive breastfeeding practice ( p < .05-.001). CONCLUSION: : The prevalence of breastfeeding at 6 months for preterm infants in this sample was low. Strategies to improve breastfeeding duration for preterm infants are needed, including support and education of mothers while in the hospital.
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 < .05-.01). Nearly half of all mothers had an elevated EPDS score, considered to be symptomatic of postpartum depression. At 6 months, only 22.5% of all infants were exclusively breastfeeding. Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding, including younger maternal age, previous breastfeeding experience, shorter mother-infant separation time during intensive care, older infant gestational age, and a higher level of breastfeeding self-efficacy, significantly predicted exclusive breastfeeding practice ( p < .05-.001). CONCLUSION: : The prevalence of breastfeeding at 6 months for preterm infants in this sample was low. Strategies to improve breastfeeding duration for preterm infants are needed, including support and education of mothers while in the hospital.