Abstract
Background: The importance of early breastfeeding initiation to both the mother and infant is enormous as it reduces the likelihood of neonatal mortality as well as maternal postpartum haemorrhage. The objectives of the study were to assess the prevalence and determinants of correct breastfeeding initiation time among newborns delivered at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. Methods: This was a cross sectional descriptive study. Relevant maternal and new-born birth characteristics were obtained using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the factors that are significantly associated with correct breastfeeding initiation time with the level of significance set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 321 mother-newborn pairs were studied. 86 (26.8%) of the respondents correctly initiated breastfeeding within 1 hour of delivery. Planned pregnancy, pre-pregnancy decision on infant feeding options, primiparity, vaginal delivery and breast milk as first food given to the neonate post-delivery were associated with increased likelihood of correct breastfeeding initiation time. Conclusion: Correct breastfeeding initiation time among respondents is low. Planned pregnancy, pre-pregnancy decision on infant feeding option before pregnancy, primiparity, vaginal delivery and breast milk as first food given to the neonate after delivery were associated with having correct breastfeeding initiation time among respondents. Efforts should be made to complement Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative with baby friendly community initiative in order to improve the rate of correct breastfeeding initiation time in our setting.
Highlights
Breastfeeding is a natural way of support for the optimal growth and development of young children infants
The chief target of the 4th step of the “Ten steps to successful breastfeeding” of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is to ensure that every health facility providing maternity services and care for newborn infants should help mothers initiate breastfeeding within a half hour of birth following vaginal delivery [6]
This was a cross sectional study conducted in the labour ward, postnatal wards and New Born Special Care Unit (NBSCU) of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) ltuku-Ozalla, Enugu from 1st April, 2014 to 10th June, 2016
Summary
Breastfeeding is a natural way of support for the optimal growth and development of young children infants. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO) have jointly recommended exclusive bread feeding (EBF) for the first 6 months of life and breastfeeding continued up to 2 years and beyond. The chief target of the 4th step of the “Ten steps to successful breastfeeding” of the BFHI is to ensure that every health facility providing maternity services and care for newborn infants should help mothers initiate breastfeeding within a half hour of birth following vaginal delivery [6]. Pre-pregnancy decision on infant feeding options, primiparity, vaginal delivery and breast milk as first food given to the neonate post-delivery were associated with increased likelihood of correct breastfeeding initiation time. Pre-pregnancy decision on infant feeding option before pregnancy, primiparity, vaginal delivery and breast milk as first food given to the neonate after delivery were associated with having correct breastfeeding
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