Factors associated with partial direct breastfeeding at discharge of preterm infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: a cohort study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations between clinical practices for facilitating breastfeeding and partial direct breastfeeding (defined as at least three direct breastfeeds) at discharge in preterm infants in Hohhot, China. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted involving 373 preterm infants admitted to the NICU in Hohhot from June 2023 to December 2024. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the factors associated with partial direct breastfeeding at discharge. RESULTS: = 0.095) were not significantly associated with the outcome in the final model. CONCLUSION: Preterm infants with lower birth weight and mothers with lower breastfeeding confidence may require additional clinical support. Normal breast development and earlier achievement of full oral feeding were associated with higher rates of partial direct breastfeeding at discharge.