Successful breast feeding after neonatal intensive care

We have performed a follow-up study of breastfeeding in 1,696 infants (734 preterm) admitted for neonatal intensive care. Six months after discharge from hospital, 80% of term infants were breastfeeding, exclusively or in part. This does not differ from national statistics for all babies born in Sweden. The corresponding breastfeeding frequency among very preterm infants (gestational age < 30 w) was 47%. As maturity evolves and morbidity becomes subsidiary, breastfeeding can be successfully established in most preterm and previously sick neonates. This information provide reassuring support for their mothers.