Exclusive Breastfeeding in the Follow-up of Preterm Infants: Challenges in Northern Brazil

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) provides essential nutritional, immunological, and developmental benefits, particularly for preterm infants, who represent a vulnerable population. This study aimed to evaluate the duration of exclusive breastfeeding and investigate factors associated with early weaning among preterm infants followed in an outpatient clinic in Northern Brazil. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted through a retrospective review of medical records of preterm infants followed between November 2024 and April 2025. Neonatal and maternal variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearsons correlation. A total of 69 preterm infants were included, with a mean gestational age of 33.79 weeks, plus or minus 2.97 weeks. Exclusive breastfeeding was observed in 41% of infants, with a mean duration of 3.84 months, plus or minus 1.99 months. The most frequent neonatal complications were jaundice (42%) and respiratory distress (41%). No statistically significant associations were identified between exclusive breastfeeding and the analyzed variables, although a positive trend was observed between the number of antenatal consultations and the duration of EBF (r = 0.5; p = 0.07). The findings indicate that exclusive breastfeeding among preterm infants remains below recommended levels, highlighting the importance of strengthening antenatal guidance and multiprofessional support to improve breastfeeding duration in this population.