Early Hospital Practices Were Associated With Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Late Preterm and Early Term Infants
In brief
62% of late preterm/early term infants exclusively breastfed; formula feeds halve rates
In a study of 72 mothers, only about six in ten late preterm or early term babies were exclusively breastfed at 2-3 weeks, and infants who received any in-hospital formula-especially larger 30-60 mL feeds-were roughly half as likely to be exclusively breastfed. The result underscores that reducing routine formula supplementation could boost early breastfeeding success, but larger trials are needed to confirm the best hospital policies.
- Journal
- Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992) (Q1)
- Published
- 14 August 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- S Dib, J C K Wells, M S Fewtrell
- PMID
- 42598933
- DOI
- 10.1111/apa.70723
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Neonatology (top studies of the week, 16 August 2026): Breastfeeding practices in late preterm infants; nutrition but not respiratory/critical
- Picked for Pediatrics and Child Health (top studies of the week, 16 August 2026): Early hospital practices and exclusive breastfeeding in late preterm infants
Abstract
AIM: To assess how maternal/infant characteristics and early hospital practices influenced exclusive breastfeeding at 2-3 weeks postpartum among mothers intending to breastfeed their late preterm and early term infants. METHODS: This secondary analysis used data from a randomised controlled trial of 72 mothers of late preterm (34 + 0-36 + 6) and early term infants (37 + 0-38 + 6), assigned to either a breastfeeding intervention or control group. Information on hospital practices and infant feeding was collected prior to intervention start. RESULTS: Overall, 62% of infants were exclusively breastfed (57% of late preterm, 75% of early term infants) at 2-3 weeks postpartum. In-hospital formula supplementation was highly prevalent (76%), and particularly larger volumes (30-60 mL per feed) were strongly associated with reduced exclusive breastfeeding (p < 0.001). Being offered support for breastfeeding problems at hospital was also associated with reduced odds of exclusive breastfeeding (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.04-0.84). Early hospital practices, such as skin-to-skin contact and early breastfeeding initiation, differed between early term and late preterm infants. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the potential impact of modifiable hospital practices, particularly formula supplementation, on exclusive breastfeeding in this group. Strategies to improve these practices warrant further investigation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03791749.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.