Factors Predicting Oral Breastfeeding Among Moderate to Late Preterm Infant

Background: Moderate to Late Preterm Infants (32-36 weeks gestation) face unique challenges in achieving successful oral breastfeeding despite their physiological advantages over early preterm infants. This study identifies gestational age-specific predictors of oral breastfeeding success in Chinese neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Methods: A cross-sectional design analyzed 292 mother-infant dyads from two tertiary hospitals in Yancheng, China (August 2024–February 2025). Validated instruments assessed infant factors (feeding readiness, functional status), maternal factors (self-efficacy, milk sufficiency, social support), and hospital factors (breastfeeding practices/support). Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to predicte the factors of oral breastfeeding on moderate to late preterm (32–36 weeks, n = 292) infants. Results: For moderate to late peterm infants, breastfeeding self-efficacy (β = 0.27, p < 0.01), social support (β = 0.15, p < 0.05), and readiness for oral feeding (β = 0.29, p < 0.01) were significant predictors. Hospital factors exerted the strongest influence: breastfeeding practices (β = 0.60–0.70, p < 0.01) and support policies (β = 0.16–0.24, p < 0.05). SEM models showed excellent fit (RMSEA = 0.00 for late preterm). Conclusion: Maternal psychosocial factors and hospital environments critically influence breastfeeding outcomes in Moderate to Late Preterm Infants. Interventions should bolster maternal confidence, leverage social networks, and standardize NICU breastfeeding protocols. These findings support tailored, evidence-based guidelines for this understudied population.