Purpose
To investigate factors that may affect the method of feeding among preterm infants at 4 weeks after discharge.
Methods
This study included 222 mother-infant dyads born before a gestational age of 37 weeks. The feeding method and general medical characteristics of the participants were assessed at 4 weeks after discharge using a structured questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to examine which factors were associated with breastfeeding at home.
Results
Of the 222 infants who qualified for the study, 71 (32.9%) continued to receive breastmilk at 4 weeks post-discharge. Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that breastfeeding at 4 weeks post-discharge was associated with higher breastfeeding self-efficacy, vaginal delivery (experience), direct breastfeeding in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), gestational age between 30 and 34 weeks, and breastmilk consumption in the NICU. The following factors were associated with mixed feeding at 4 weeks post-discharge: being employed, having higher breastfeeding self-efficacy, and direct breastfeeding in the NICU.
Conclusion
NICU nurses should provide opportunities for direct breastfeeding during hospitalization and support breastfeeding to enhance breastfeeding self-efficacy. These factors may help to ensure the continuation of breastfeeding after discharge. Moreover, factors that affect breastfeeding should be considered when providing interventions.

Citations

• Identifying Latent Topics and Trends in Premature Infant–Related Nursing Studies Using a Latent Dirichlet Allocation Method
  Myeong Seon Lee, Seonah Lee
  CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing.2023; 41(12): 957.     CrossRef

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to compare the rate of breastfeeding and factors which affect late preterm infants’ (LPIs) breastfeeding according to gestational age.
Methods
Participants were LPIs of 34 weeks (n=70), 35 weeks (n=75), and 36 weeks (n=88). Data were collected from July to December, 2011 from four university hospitals in D city. Descriptive statistics and odds ratio were used to compare three groups.
Results
The rate of breastfeeding at 1 week after LPIs’ discharge was 32.9%, 37.3%, 23.9% at 34, 35 and 36 weeks, respectively. The tendency to breastfeed in LPIs of 34 weeks was lower for LPIs born by Cesarean-section, while it was higher for LPIs with a longer period of breastfeeding during hospitalization and higher body weight at the first day of feeding. The prevalence of breastfeeding in LPIs of 35 weeks and 36 weeks was higher for infants with a history of more frequent breastfeeding during hospitalization.
Conclusion
The rate of breastfeeding in LPIs of 36 weeks was the lowest. This study suggests that nurses should give more customized education to mothers with LPIs of 36 weeks during their stay in hospitals.

Citations

• Factors Influencing Breast Milk Feeding in Singleton Late Preterm Infants
  Su Jin Kim, Gun Ja Jang
  Journal of Health Informatics and Statistics.2020; 45(4): 311.     CrossRef
• Prevalence and Predictors of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Late Preterm Infants at 12 Weeks
  Soo Yeon Lee, Gun Ja Jang
  Child Health Nursing Research.2016; 22(2): 79.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to describe breastfeeding knowledge, attitude and nursing practice of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses.
METHODS
Survey methodology using a self administered questionnaire was employed as the research design. A total of 153 questionnaires from 7 university hospital NICUs in Seoul, Daejeon, and Daegu were used for data analysis.
RESULTS
The percentage of correct answers on the breastfeeding knowledge questions for the NICU nurses was 59.3%. The nurses in NICU reported a somewhat positive attitude to breastfeeding, mean per item 3.70+/-0.41 on a scale of 5 points. Their breastfeeding nursing practice was at a moderate level, mean per item, 3.26+/-0.74. Breastfeeding knowledge had significant correlations with breastfeeding attitude (r=.554, p<.001) and nursing practice (r=.203, p=.002). Also, There was a significant correlation between breastfeeding attitude and nursing practice (r=.243, p=.002).
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that breastfeeding educational programs and strategies for NICU nurses should be developed to increase their breastfeeding knowledge, attitude, and nursing practice.

Citations

• Development of a Protocol for the Direct Breastfeeding of Premature Infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Units
  Eun Sook Kim, Hyun Gi Min, Ji Yeon Lee, Ji Yoon Lee, Young Hee Yi
  Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing.2024; 38(1): 73.     CrossRef
• Evaluation of a Mobile-based Maternal Feeding Education Program for Overweight Prevention in Infants
  Jin Suk Ra
  Asian Nursing Research.2021; 15(2): 136.     CrossRef
• Knowledge of and Attitude toward Breastfeeding among Medical Staff Working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Obstetric Unit
  Eun Sook Kim, Young Hee Cho, Hyejung Lee
  Journal of The Korean Society of Maternal and Chil.2020; 24(2): 102.     CrossRef
• Influencing Factors on Breastfeeding Nursing Activities of Nursing Students
  Ya Ki Yang
  Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Educ.2019; 25(1): 83.     CrossRef
• Impact of Breastfeeding Knowledge, Attitude, and Barriers on Breastfeeding Practice among Twin Mothers
  Jae In Shim, Sook Jung Kang
  Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing.2017; 23(2): 89.     CrossRef