title: Factors Associated with Breast Milk Feeding of Very Preterm Infants from Birth to 6 Months Corrected Age.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate factors that may affect breast milk feeding (BMF) practices among very preterm infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study included infants born before 32 weeks gestational age (GA) and monitored up to 6 months corrected age (CA). Feeding method was assessed at day 14 of life, 36 weeks GA, 6 weeks after home discharge, and 6 months CA. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine which factors were associated with BMF initiation at cessation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 181 infants who qualified for the study, 146 (81%) initiated BMF. Of these, 80% were mainly BMF (≥75% of daily nutrition volume). At 36 weeks GA, 6 weeks postdischarge, and 6 months CA, 130 (71.8%), 87 (48%), and 36 (19.9%) infants, respectively, continued to receive some BMF. Multivariate analysis revealed that initiation of BMF was more common with younger GA and higher level of maternal education. Infants whose mothers failed to supply ≥75% of daily nutrition as BMF at day 14 were more likely to be exclusively formula fed 6 weeks after discharge. Cessation of BMF at 6 months CA was associated with birth at >28 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Successful BMF can be commenced and maintained throughout hospitalization in the majority of very preterm infants. Despite a significant dropout rate occurring within several weeks after discharge, in this select cohort, infants with lower GA were more likely to be breastfed after discharge.
authors.affiliation: Edmond and Lily Safra Children Hospital , Ramat Gan, Israel .
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Morag
authors.affiliation: Edmond and Lily Safra Children Hospital , Ramat Gan, Israel .
authors.forename: Tal
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Harel
authors.affiliation: Edmond and Lily Safra Children Hospital , Ramat Gan, Israel .
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leibovitch
authors.affiliation: Edmond and Lily Safra Children Hospital , Ramat Gan, Israel .
authors.forename: Michal J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Simchen
authors.affiliation: Edmond and Lily Safra Children Hospital , Ramat Gan, Israel .
authors.forename: Ayala
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maayan-Metzger
authors.affiliation: Edmond and Lily Safra Children Hospital , Ramat Gan, Israel .
authors.forename: Tzipi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Strauss
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001903:Bottle Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula; D062071:Infant, Extremely Premature; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008895:Milk, Human; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies