title: Early postpartum discharge and breastfeeding: an observational study from France.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Early postpartum discharge is a recent practice in France, but the influence of a shortened hospital stay on subsequent breastfeeding is unknown. The objective of the present study was to compare the breastfeeding mode after early discharge (ED) and conventional discharge (CD) from a hospital maternity unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational study was conducted in a French university hospital among 135 breastfeeding mothers, who delivered between 1 January and 31 July 2006. Forty-five ED mothers were matched with 90 CD mothers on 13 criteria. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data regarding feeding practices at 10 weeks postpartum, the period corresponding to paid maternity leave.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Exclusive breast-, mixed, and bottle feedings were reported by, respectively, 35 (77.8%), three (6.7%) and seven (15.5%) ED mothers and 64 (71.1%), 12 (13.3%) and 14 (15.6%) CD mothers (no significant differences). Satisfaction with support for breastfeeding and reasons for switching to mixed or bottle feeding were comparable in the two groups. Multivariate analysis indicated that only the planned duration of breastfeeding and the mother's dissatisfaction with help significantly influenced breastfeeding prevalence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early postpartum hospital discharge organized by skilled professionals is compatible with a satisfactory rate of exclusive breastfeeding up to the return to work. Formalized programs of instruction for perinatal professionals would help to reduce early abandonment.
authors.affiliation: Neonatology Department, University Hospital of Montpellier, F-34000 France. g-cambonie@chu-montpellier.fr
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cambonie
authors.forename: Valérie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rey
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sabarros
authors.forename: Thierry-Pascal
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Baum
authors.forename: Sébastien
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fournier-Favre
authors.forename: Evelyne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mazurier
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boulot
authors.forename: Jean-Charles
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Picaud
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D013997:Time Factors