The Relationship Between Infant Feeding Outcomes and Maternal Emotional Well-being Among Mothers of Late Preterm and Term Infants

Abstract

Background Late preterm birth is associated with lower rates of breastfeeding and earlier breastfeeding cessation than term birth. Purpose The objectives of this secondary analysis were to compare the incidence of exclusive breastfeeding after late preterm and term childbirth and to examine the association between infant feeding outcomes and maternal emotional well-being. Methods Participants were 105 mother-infant dyads (54 late preterm and 51 term) at a southeastern U.S. medical center. Face-to-face data collection and telephone follow up occurred during 2009-2012. Results Late preterm mothers were less likely to exclusively provide their milk than were term mothers during hospitalization. Feeding at one month did not differ between late preterm and term infants. Among late preterm mothers, (1) formula supplementation during hospitalization was associated with greater severity of anxiety compared to those exclusively providing formula and (2) exclusive provision of human milk at one month was associated with less severe depressive symptoms relative to those supplementing or exclusively formula feeding. Among term mothers, feeding outcome was not related to emotional well-being measures at either time point. Implications for Practice Mothers of late preterm infants may particularly benefit from anticipatory guidance and early mental health screening, with integrated, multidisciplinary lactation teams to support these interrelated health care needs Implications for Research Prospective research is critical to document women’s intentions for infant feeding and how experiences with childbirth and the early postpartum period impact achievement of their breastfeeding plans.

Factors Affecting Breastfeeding Outcomes at Six Months in Preterm Infants

“…According to previous reports, 36% to 50% of mothers in NICUs screen positive for elevated PPD (Cherry et al, 2016;Maimburg & Vaeth, 2015). Mothers with PPD were less likely to engage in BF during their NICU stay (Northrup, Wootton, Evans, & Stotts, 2013;Tully, Holditch-Davis, Silva, & Brandon, 2017), whereas more exclusive BF was associated with less severe PPD in late preterm mother-infant dyads at 1 month (Tully et al, 2017). Our study is consistent with the study by Piteo, Yelland, and Makrides (2012), where maternal depression in the first 6 months postpartum was not associated with BF behavior.…”

The realization of BFHI Step 4 in Finland – Initial breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact according to mothers and midwives

“…Infant birthweight was crucial with respect to the mother's experience. Infants at a normal weight were more successful at initial breastfeeding and a low birthweight resulted in problems with the breastfeeding experience (Hasselberg et al 2016, Tully et al 2017. The use of mild pain relief medications during labour also didn't enhance better experience of mothers to the initial breastfeeding.…”

Home use of breast milk fortifier to promote postdischarge growth and breast feeding in preterm infants: a quality improvement project

“…Growth failure in breastfed preterm infants around discharge is therefore common and often necessitates supplementation with preterm formula alongside breast feeding 12. However, the use of infant formula top-ups in preterm breastfed infants has been shown to erode maternal confidence and increase anxiety around breast feeding leading to early breast feeding cessation 13…”