Maternal or Neonatal Factors at Discharge Predicting Breastfeeding Success at 3 Months of Age Among Small for Gestational Age Neonates.

BACKGROUND

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) has been identified as a potentially protective factor for small for gestational age (SGA) neonates, promoting healthier growth patterns as well as improving longterm cardiometabolic health. Two groups of factors are important for successful breastfeeding: neonatal and maternal factors. The neonatal factors can be evaluated using the LATCH tool, and the maternal aspects with the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSEF-SF).

RESEARCH AIM: To determine the EBF rate at discharge, and the barriers and facilitators associated with successful EBF at 3 months of age among SGA neonates.

METHODS

This was a prospective cohort study of 1095 SGA neonates admitted to a tertiary care hospital. The breastfeeding effectiveness at discharge was assessed using LATCH and BSEF-SF scores. Further, we performed univariate analysis followed by binary logistic regression analysis to identify the factors predicting successful EBF at 3 months of age.

RESULTS

All enrolled neonates were exclusively breastfed at discharge; however, at 3 months of age, 660 (73.2%) babies were being exclusively breastfed. The mean (SD) LATCH score and BSES-SF scores were 7.33 (0.88) and 53.45 (3.93), respectively. The LATCH score and BSES-SF scores at discharge were significantly associated with successful EBF at 3 months of postnatal age.

CONCLUSIONS

Assessment of breastfeeding effectiveness at discharge using LATCH and BSES-SF scores enables early identification of SGA neonates at risk of EBF failure at 3 months postnatal age.