Modifiable Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding at NICU Discharge among Infants Born before 32 Weeks' Gestation: A Cross-Sectional Study in Malaysia.

Authors

Armi Burhanuldin, Rozitah Razman, Shareena Ishak

Published in

Breastfeeding medicine : the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. Pages 15568253261496655. Oct 12, 2026. Epub Oct 12, 2026.

Abstract

Mothers of preterm infants often face unique challenges in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which may adversely affect breastfeeding outcomes.
To determine the rate of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) at NICU discharge among infants born <32 weeks' gestation and to identify associated maternal and clinical factors.
A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2021 and 2023 in two tertiary NICUs in Malaysia. A total of 180 mothers of preterm infants were enrolled. Prior to discharge, participants completed self-administered questionnaires assessing their breastfeeding experiences, including the NICU Mother's Breastfeeding Survey and the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF). Data on skin-to-skin contact, antenatal breastfeeding education, and prior breastfeeding experience were also collected.
EBF at discharge was achieved by 52% of the cohort. Factors significantly associated with EBF included prior breastfeeding experience (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.95; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-3.53; p = 0.03), antenatal breastfeeding education (aOR: 3.43; 95% CI: 1.36-8.64; p < 0.05), skin-to-skin contact in the NICU (aOR: 2.56; 95% CI: 1.20-5.47; p = 0.02), and higher BSES-SF scores (aOR: 2.19; 95% CI: 1.11-4.32; p = 0.02). Perceived breastfeeding barriers were significantly associated with lower odds of EBF (aOR: 0.11; 95% CI: 0.05-0.24; p = 0.001).
EBF at NICU discharge among preterm infants <32 weeks is influenced by modifiable maternal factors. Enhancing breastfeeding education, fostering self-efficacy, and encouraging early skin-to-skin contact may improve breastfeeding outcomes in this population.

PMID:
42864978
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 13 Oct 2026.

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