Early Discharge Following Birth – What Characterises Mothers and Newborns?

•In total 1620 (58%) and 686 (34%) mothers were discharged postnatally within 50 hours and 12 hours, respectively.•Parity, birth and infant related factors were the strongest characteristics associated with early discharge.•Psycho-social factors such as breastfeeding duration of prior child were significantly associated with time of the discharge.•Psycho-social predictors for early discharge indicate that the parents are involved in the discharge decision process.•A growing number of inexperienced and clinically complicated new mothers and infants are discharged early today.