Abstract
BackgroundEvidence suggests that inadequate hospital practices, as well as sociocultural and community factors have detrimental effects on timely initiation as the first breastfeed within first hour after birth, and exclusive breastfeeding. The purpose of the study was to examine the factors that influence timely initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding at birth and 1 month postpartum in Mexican women delivering in public and private hospitals.MethodsMixed methods were conducted between May and July 2017, including surveys (n = 543) and semi-structured interviews (n = 60) in the immediate (7 h) and intermediate (30 days) postpartum periods. Participants were women aged 15–49 years, in public and private hospitals, of urban and rural municipalities of Chihuahua and Puebla, Mexico.ResultsTimely initiation was reported by 49.4% of mothers, and 34.7% reported that their children received infant formula at the hospital. Only 44.8% of women reported exclusive breastfeeding at 1 month postpartum. Timely initiation of breastfeeding was higher in women with vaginal delivery (62.1 vs 35.5%; p < 0.05) and those who received information during pregnancy (OR 1.07; p = 0.018). Exclusive breastfeeding at 1 month postpartum was related to older maternal age (OR 1.05; p < 0.001) and the fact that the mothers had received more information about breastfeeding during pregnancy (OR 1.13; p = 0.0001). Infant formula use was less associated with timely initiation (OR 0.46; p = 0.001). Participants in qualitative data identified the emotional, physical and economic benefits of breastfeeding, however, the perception about insufficient production of human milk, and the belief that infant formula is recommended, persists.ConclusionsModification of hospital practices, such as decreasing the number of cesarean and the use of infant formula, as well as the support of the initiation and continuation of exclusive breastfeeding by health personnel and family members, could help increase breastfeeding practices in Mexican women.
Highlights
Evidence suggests that inadequate hospital practices, as well as sociocultural and community factors have detrimental effects on timely initiation as the first breastfeed within first hour after birth, and exclusive breastfeeding
Only 44.8% of the children received exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and 47.7% were being fed with infant formula at 1 month postpartum
Initiation and EBF facilitators were related to the information about breastfeeding or infant feeding practices that the mothers had received in critical times, support either from health professionals or their family members, and the mothers’ previous experience with breastfeeding
Summary
Evidence suggests that inadequate hospital practices, as well as sociocultural and community factors have detrimental effects on timely initiation as the first breastfeed within first hour after birth, and exclusive breastfeeding. Evidence suggests that inadequate hospital practices, and sociocultural and community factors have detrimental effects on timely initiation and EBF; these include, providing infant formula to new mothers, separating child and mother, not providing adequate information and support to mothers regarding breastfeeding, and sociocultural beliefs, among other effects [2, 3]. The WHO outlines a number of measures to contribute to the initiation, establishment, and continuation of breastfeeding, both within the health system and at the community level, in which multiple physical, psychosocial and emotional factors can influence the type of feeding the mother offers to the baby. Social support plays an important role in breastfeeding choices; support from family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues [5]
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