The establishment of breastfeeding in the small-for-gestational-age baby.

Background: Term babies born smaller than expected for a given gestation are at greater risk of short- and long-term health conditions. Breastmilk is the optimum nutrition for all babies and offers specific protection from the risks that follow from being born small for gestational age. Aim: To explore breastfeeding outcomes for babies born with a birthweight below the 10th centile. Methods: Data were collected on all women giving birth in one maternity unit in the north of England over a year. Method of feeding at three time points was compared between small-for-gestational-age and appropriately grown babies. Findings: Small-for-gestational-age babies were significantly less likely to be breastfeeding at discharge from hospital and community services compared to larger babies. Conclusion: This study suggests that small-for-gestational-age babies are disadvantaged in establishing breastfeeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]