Abstract
The initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth has numerous nutritional and immunological benefits and has been found to reduce neonatal mortality. This community-based prospective cohort study aimed to report the rate of, and factors associated with, early initiation of breastfeeding in Western Nepal. The rate of early initiation of breastfeeding was reported, and associations between early initiation and independent variables were tested by Chi-square test, followed by multiple logistic regression. Of the 735 mother-infant pairs, a total of 310 (42.2%) reported early initiation. Mothers who were assisted by traditional attendants during childbirth, delivered by caesarean section, from ethnically disadvantaged families and had delivered low birth weight infants, were less likely to initiate breastfeeding early whereas the mothers who were from the poorest families and did not introduce prelacteal feeds to their infants were more likely to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour. Skills-training to support breastfeeding as part of the training of skilled birth attendants and other health workers is likely to promote recommended infant feeding practices.
Highlights
Global commitment to Millennium Development Goals has brought significant progress in child survival with an average 3.4% reduction globally in child mortality annually (1–59 months) since1990 [1]
A recent meta-analysis [2] reported that the initiation of breastfeeding within 24 hours of birth was significantly associated with reduction in “all-cause neonatal mortality”, “low birth weight related neonatal mortality” and “infection related neonatal mortality” among all live births
The finding is comparable to the recent Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2011 (45%), but, much lower than that reported for the Kaski district (67%) in central Nepal [15] and higher than that reported by the 2006 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (35.4%) [29]
Summary
Global commitment to Millennium Development Goals has brought significant progress in child survival with an average 3.4% reduction globally in child mortality annually (1–59 months) since1990 [1]. Global commitment to Millennium Development Goals has brought significant progress in child survival with an average 3.4% reduction globally in child mortality annually (1–59 months) since. The progress in the reduction of neonatal mortality, was much slower globally (2.0% annual rate since 1990) [1]. Recent estimates show that a total of 71% of neonatal mortality could be prevented using existing antenatal, intra-partum and postnatal interventions [1]. Immediate care of the newborn which includes the nutrition of neonates (early initiation within one hour of birth and exclusive breastfeeding), is a major area of intervention for newborn survival during the perinatal period [1]. A recent meta-analysis [2] reported that the initiation of breastfeeding within 24 hours of birth was significantly associated with reduction in “all-cause neonatal mortality”, “low birth weight related neonatal mortality” and “infection related neonatal mortality” among all live births. Early initiation of breastfeeding is recommended as one of several steps that should be taken to prevent hypothermia in the newborn [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
