Abstract
The objective of the study was to find the determinants related to not breastfeeding (BF) and others related to the delay in the early initiation of BF in the Mecca region, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study in the Maternity and Children Hospital and primary healthcare centers was performed. A questionnaire was filled by dietitians to 814 asymptomatic Saudi mothers. Determinants related to not BF and the delay in the early initiation of BF were determined by binary logistic regression, and the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were determined. Significant factors associated with not BF were not rooming-in infants in the mother’s room (OR: 2.37; 95% CI: 1.66–3.41) and using a pacifier (OR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.13–2.33). The most significant determinant of the early initiation of BF was the initiation of bottle feeding (OR: 18.16; 95% CI: 10.51–31.4), followed by not rooming-in infants in the mother’s room (OR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.52–3.18), initiation of partial feeding (OR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.3–2.74), uninformed mothers regarding the importance of BF (OR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.04–2.35), and cesarean sections (OR:1.42; 95% CI: 1.02–1.98). Risk factors affecting BF and the early initiation of BF in Mecca City should be highlighted in national campaigns to increase mothers’ awareness and promote BF practice.
Highlights
Breastfeeding (BF) provides multiple benefits for both newborns and mothers
The objective of the study is to provide updates about the possible risk factors related to not BF and other factors related to the delay in the early initiation of BF in the Mecca region of Saudi Arabia
156 mothers (19.2%) did not breastfeed their children for any duration, the early initiation of BF (≤1 h) was observed in 310 (38.1%) mothers, and 348 (42.7%) mothers delayed the initiation of BF for >1 h
Summary
Breastfeeding (BF) provides multiple benefits for both newborns and mothers. The World Health Organization (WHO) [2] recommends mothers to start BF on the first hour after birth, which is referred as the “early initiation of BF”, and ensures that the infants have the colostrum, which is rich in protective factors for infants’ health. The initiation of BF within 1 h of birth has numerous immunological and nutritional benefits for newborns that have been found to reduce neonatal mortality [3]. The early initiation of BF, alongside skin-to-skin contact, is recommended as one of several steps to prevent hypothermia in newborns [6]
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