Factors associated to breastfeeding in the first hour of life: systematic review.

Tania Maria Brasil Esteves,Regina Paiva Daumas,Carlos Augusto De Ferreira De Andrade,Iuri Costa Leite,Maria Inês Couto De Oliveira

doi:10.1590/s0034-8910.2014048005278

Tania Maria Brasil Esteves, Regina Paiva Daumas + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/s0034-8910.2014048005278

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE To identify independent risk factors for non-breastfeeding within the first hour of life.METHODS A systematic review of Medline, LILACS, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases, till August 30, 2013, was performed without restrictions on language or date of publishing. Studies that used regression models and provided adjusted measures of association were included. Studies in which the regression model was not specified or those based on specific populations regarding age or the presence of morbidities were excluded.RESULTS The search resulted in 155 articles, from which 18 met the inclusion criteria. These were conducted in Asia (9), Africa (5), and South America (4), between 1999 and 2013. The prevalence of breastfeeding within the first hour of life ranged from 11.4%, in a province of Saudi Arabia, to 83.3% in Sri Lanka. Cesarean delivery was the most consistent risk factor for non-breastfeeding within the first hour of life. “Low family income”, “maternal age less than 25 years”, “low maternal education”, “no prenatal visit”, “home delivery”, “no prenatal guidance on breastfeeding” and “preterm birth” were reported as risk factors in at least two studies.CONCLUSIONS Besides the hospital routines, indicators for low socioeconomic status and poor access to health services were also identified as independent risk factors for non-breastfeeding within the first hour of life. Policies to promote breastfeeding, appropriate to each context, should aim to reduce inequalities in health.

Highlights

Breast milk provides all of the nutrients an infant needs for the first six months
Besides the hospital routines, indicators for low socioeconomic status and poor access to health services were identified as independent risk factors for non-breastfeeding within the first hour of life
The articles were found through bibliographic searches of the following databases: Medline, consulted via PubMed,a Lilacs,b Scopus,c and Web of Science.d The description of this systematic review is based on the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA).[24]

Summary

Introduction

It has immunological properties that protect infants against common diseases, such as diarrhea and pneumonia, which are important causes of infant morbidity and mortality.[4,18,22] Breastfeeding presents advantages to the mother’s health, increasing the postpartum infertility period, helping them return to their pregestational weight, and reducing their risk of developing breast[6] and ovarian cancer.[13,25,49]. The practice of breastfeeding, in the majority of countries, is still below the recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).[20] Regarding promotion of breastfeeding, the WHO recommends placing newborns in direct contact with their mothers immediately after birth for at least one hour, and encourage the mother to initiate breastfeeding as soon as the newborn is ready, offering help if necessary.[58] This recommendation is based on the newborn’s stronger aptitude in spontaneously searching for the nipple area and initiating breastfeeding during this period, contributing to the establishment of exclusive maternal breastfeeding.[54,57]

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