Background: Breastfeeding is commonly postponed until a maturity of 32-34 gestational weeks (GA). Since research-based guidelines are lacking, the development of breastfeeding behavior in preterm infants must be described.

Subjects: A convenience sample of 21 infants, born after GA 29-32 w.

Methods: Direct breastfeeding observations and advice according to the Preterm Infant Breastfeeding Behavior Scale, PIBBS(1) and the Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) (Als, 1995).

Results: The infants were discharged from hospital at mean GA 36 w + 4 d (34+3 - 40+3). Thirteen infants were breastfed exclusively and 7 partly. Behavioral components in breastfeeding were observed for the first time at the following ranges of maturity (w): Rooting: 30+2 - 34+2; Areolar grasp: 30+2 - 35+3; Repeated short sucking bursts (≤9 sucks): 30+4 - 34+2, repeated long bursts (≥10 sucks): 32+1 - 36+5; Longest sucking burst, 10-19 sucks: 31+2 - 36+4; 20-29 sucks: 32+1 - 40+5;≥30 sucks: 32+2 - 38+5; Swallowing: 30+4 - 36+0.

Conclusion: Encouragement of breastfeeding should be based on infants' individual behavior at the breast, instead of rules, based on a fixed gestational age.