Exclusive breastfeeding in hospital associated with longer breastfeeding duration
New findings from AllerGen’s CHILD Study show that exclusive breastfeeding during the first few days of life is positively associated with longer-term breastfeeding, while in-hospital formula use is associated with breastfeeding for a significantly shorter duration.
Dr. Meghan Azad led a research team that found breastfeeding ended earlier for infants who received formula supplementation in hospital, compared to those who received only breast milk during this critical period. The findings were published March 2, 2018, in the journal Birth.
“Newborns who received only breast milk were ultimately breastfed for four months longer than those who received formula supplementation in hospital, and they were 63% more likely to meet the World Health Organization recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for six months,” says Dr. Azad.