INTRODUCTION Breastfeeding and factors influencing breastfeeding are essential when considering the association between parity and neonatal and maternal morbidity risks when mothers are discharged within 24 hours after birth. However, there is a lack of studies examining the effect of parity and breastfeeding in a setting where all healthy mothers are recommended discharge four hours after birth. Therefore, this study examined the association between parity and the time for discharge, breastfeeding, and factors influencing breastfeeding. METHODS The study was designed as a prospective cohort study. Data were obtained from questionnaires at one and at six weeks after birth, and combined with registered data. All 147 included mothers were healthy, with an uncomplicated birth and a healthy newborn, discharged within 24 hours after birth. RESULTS This study documented that primiparous women had a higher relative risk (RR=2.62; 95% CI: 1.35-5.10) of having doubts about infant feeding after discharge than multiparous women. Furthermore, 54% of primiparous women contacted the maternity ward after discharge compared to 27% of multiparous women. Twice as many primiparous than multiparous women felt anxious or depressed at one and at six weeks after birth. Finally, the study documented that 13% of primiparous women and 5% of multiparous women discharged within six hours after birth perceived the time before discharge to be too short. CONCLUSIONS Primiparous women differ from multiparous women regarding breastfeeding, insecurity, and anxiety. Special attention towards primiparous women and a follow-up strategy that allows the mothers to contact the maternity ward after early discharge is recommended.

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INTRODUCTION This scoping review aims to identify the evidence and the factors influencing the outcomes of early discharge of both healthy first-time mothers and newborns. METHODS Systematic searches were conducted using four databases up to February 2021, and a search for grey literature was performed. A total of 2030 articles were identified and reduced to 13 articles, and one article was added through chain search in reference lists. The aims of the identified studies, the methodology, participants, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the setting, context, and findings are summarized. RESULTS A total of 14 studies were included. A thematic analysis identified the following factors influencing the outcomes of discharge within 24 hours after birth: parental education in pregnancy, perinatal information before discharge, sources of support, and follow-up strategies after discharge. Also, the analysis identified outcomes such as breastfeeding, parents' experience and readmission of the newborn that may be influenced when first-time parents are discharged within 24 hours after birth. Findings in this review highlight the importance of identifying factors and outcomes related to early discharge. However, because of the heterogeneity in methodology, terminology and assessment procedures used in the retrieved articles, the generalization of study results is limited. CONCLUSIONS A gap in the literature about the outcomes of discharge within 24 hours after birth has been identified. Future studies with strong evidence are needed, defining criteria, context, and intervention.

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