title: Direct-breastfeeding in the neonatal intensive care unit and breastfeeding duration for premature infants.
abstract: To explore the relationship between direct-breastfeeding in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and breastfeeding duration after discharge.
  
  
  
  Initiating and maintaining breastmilk feeding is an important goal that begins in the NICU. Little is known about direct-breastfeeding in the NICU and its relation to breastfeeding duration.
  
  
  
  Chart review of 46 infants (<32weeks gestational age or <1500 grams) whose mothers provided breastmilk.
  
  
  
  One month after discharge, mothers still providing breastmilk were more likely to have provided ≥1 direct-breastfeed per day in the NICU (21.16, CI: 3.13-143.25, p<0.01) and had prior breastfeeding experience (OR: 9.16, CI: 1.02-82.34, p<0.05). At 4months, mothers still providing breastmilk were more likely to have provided ≥1 direct-breastfeed per day in the NICU (OR: 12.80, CI: 1.39-118.32, p<0.05).
  
  
  
  Direct-breastfeeding in the NICU may play an essential role in preparing mothers for breastfeeding after discharge, thus potentially impacting breastfeeding duration.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA; Institute for Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT, 06106, USA. Electronic address: CBriere@ConnecticutChildrens.org.
authors.forename: Carrie-Ellen
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Briere
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA; Institute for Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT, 06106, USA.
authors.forename: Jacqueline M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: McGrath
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA.
authors.forename: Xiaomei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Cong
authors.affiliation: Connecticut Human Milk Research Center, Division of Neonatology, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT, 06106, USA; School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, 06032, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brownell
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA.
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cusson
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Breastfeeding; Discharge; Neonatal intensive care unit; Outcomes; Premature infant