Maternal reported long-term outcomes of early feeding challenges from hospital discharge to early childhood

BACKGROUND: Feeding difficulties are common in early infancy and may persist beyond the neonatal period, affecting growth, development, and the parent-infant relationship. While existing research has largely focused on short-term breastfeeding outcomes, there is limited understanding of how early feeding challenges evolve across infancy and early childhood. AIM: To examine associations between maternal-reported feeding challenges experienced during the birth hospitalisation and the presence of ongoing feeding difficulties in infancy and early childhood, and to describe the frequency, nature, and progression of early and current feeding concerns. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 147 mothers of children born between 2020 and 2023, predominantly from Australia, who experienced feeding difficulties from birth. The questionnaire included structured and open-ended questions regarding hospital feeding experiences, post-discharge outcomes, and current feeding status. Descriptive statistics and Fisher's Exact Tests were used to examine associations between early feeding challenges and current feeding difficulties. RESULTS: Feeding difficulties during the initial hospital stay were reported by 68% of participants, and 32.7% of the children were reported to have current feeding problems. Early sucking difficulties and tongue-tie were significantly associated with ongoing feeding concerns (p = 0.039 and p = 0.036, respectively). Tube feeding and the absence of breastfeeding during hospitalisation were more commonly reported among infants with early feeding difficulties. Nearly one-third of infants required hospital readmission post-discharge, most commonly for feeding-related complications. CONCLUSION: Maternal reports suggest that early feeding challenges identified during hospitalisation are commonly reported and may be associated with ongoing feeding difficulties in infancy and early childhood. These findings highlight the importance of early identification, multidisciplinary assessment, and consistent feeding support prior to discharge. Further prospective research is needed to determine which screening and support approaches most effectively improve long-term feeding outcomes.