In-hospital Formula Supplementation Increases Risk of Earlier Weaning From Breastfeeding, Study Shows

Infants who were fed formula during their post-partum hospital stay were 2.5 to 6 times more likely to be weaned earlier from breastmilk than infants who were exclusively breastfed from birth, according to a study published in the July 2020 Pediatrics. The study, “In-Hospital Formula Feeding and Breastfeeding Duration” (published online June 9) followed 5,310 infants who were enrolled in the Minnesota Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program. Researchers found that in-hospital formula-feeding of breastfed infants is widespread among participants in the Minnesota WIC program, as is shorter-than recommended and shorter-than-desired duration of breastfeeding. The authors suggest strategies to reduce in-hospital formula feeding, such as including culturally appropriate prenatal education; peer counseling; hospital staff and physician education; and skin-to-skin contact. Breastfeeding duration has been shown to have a significant impact on numerous health outcomes, with a dose-response protective effect for SIDS, infection in infancy, and childhood obesity. The AAP recommends exclusive breastfeeding for all newborns for about 6 months, followed by continued breastfeeding plus complementary foods for at least a year.

Editor’s Note: A solicited commentary,” In-Hospital Formula Feeding and Breastfeeding Duration,” will also be published in the July Pediatrics.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.