Comparison of Breastfeeding Practices Between Mothers with Term and Preterm Births

Background: Preterm birth ( < 37 weeks) is one of the primary causes of infant mortality and occurs in over 10% of state’s births.

Purpose: To compare the prevalence of breastfeeding (BF) initiation and duration among mothers who gave birth term or preterm and investigate disparities in BF duration by the mother's age, race and Hispanic origin.

Methods: Data were analyzed from the state’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) for years 2016-2019 that included 6,182 respondents (weighted response rate 56.1%). Bivariate and multivariate associations between BF duration and term, preterm, as well as selected maternal demographics were assessed using prevalence rates and adjusted risk ratios (ARR) with 95% confidence intervals (C.I). All analyses were conducted using SAS callable SUDAAN.

Results: The prevalence of BF initiation was similar for mothers who gave birth term or preterm. However adjusting for maternal age, race and Hispanic origin, education, and income, mothers with preterm births were less likely to breastfeed to 8 weeks or more (ARR - 0.69 95% C.I - 0.5 - 0.9) and were also less likely to breastfeed exclusively to 8 weeks or more (ARR - 0.65 95% C.I - 0.5 - 0.9).

Conclusions: Mothers of preterm infants initiate BF, but are less likely to continue with either any BF or exclusive BF to 8 weeks or more. Non-Hispanic American Indian and non-Hispanic Black mothers and older mothers in general have lower rates of BF.

Publication: Not applicable

Diversity and Inclusion: Data analyzed includes race and Hispanic origin and age of mothers.

This study was also supported by the authors:
Binitha Kunnel – Senior Biostatistician, Oklahoma State Department of Health
Nancy J. Bacon – Nutrition Consultant, Maternal & Child Health Service (Retired 10-2022), Oklahoma State Department of Health