Partial breastfeeding at discharge does not predict insufficient breastfeeding in the first six months
Abstract
Exclusive breastfeeding is confirmed to be the optimal form of nutrition for children up to six months of age. Exclusive breastfeeding at discharge from the hospital is considered a prerequisite for successful and long-lasting breastfeeding.
However, many newborns are discharged on only partial breastfeeding or artificial formula. The aim of this study was to analyse the type of nutrition at age 3 months and 6 months in babies who were not exclusively breastfed at discharge from delivery hospital.
In a prospective observational study, total number of 72 healthy term newborn were analysed, of them, 63 were partially breastfed at discharge and 9 of them had artificial formula only. Exclusive breastfeeding was documented in 20 infants (32%) at 3 months and in 12 (19%) at 6 months.
Exclusive breastfeeding was more prevalent in children of primiparous compared to multiparous mothers (31% vs 18%, p=0.025). No significant differences were found according to mode of delivery, indications for operative delivery (elective vs. acute) and postnatal adaptation.
The study revealed that even following early partial breastfeeding, there is a certain probability of switching to exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life.