Abstract
Background: Early initiation of breastfeeding (BF) has been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for optimum infant growth and development. Objectives: To determine the factors associated with early initiation of BF, exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) duration and timely introduction of complementary feeding. Methods: This was a quantitative descriptive cross-sectional design that involved 391 mothers sampled conveniently. Early initiation of BF, EBF duration, time of introduction of complementary foods and the types of complementary foods fed infants were documented. Proportions were presented for the outcome variables. Chi square and Fishers exact tests were used to evaluate the associations between the outcome variables and the independent predictor variables. Results: The mothers were aged between 15-45 years and 84% initiated BF within 30 minutes to 1 hour after delivery. Less than half (46%) of respondents initiated complementary feeding (CF) at six months postpartum. About 40.4% fed infants formula milk during the complementary period, 32.2% fed infants locally prepared foods during the complementary period. There was a statistically significant association between gender of child (χ2= 2.7; p< 0.01) and exclusive breastfeeding for six months. Maternal factors were significantly associated with knowledge level in EBF duration (χ2=18.34; p < 0.0001) and time of initiation of breastfeeding (χ2=22.40; p < 0.0001). Institutional factors that showed statistical significance exclusive breastfeeding for six months were place of delivery (χ2=14.60; p< 0.001) and presence of attendant at birth (χ2=14.18; p<0.003). Conclusion: Maternal and types of health facilities that mothers visited during antenatal and where the delivered influenced BF initiation, duration and appropriate complementary feeding practices.
Highlights
According to the United Nations Children’s’ Fund (UNICEF), the first 1000 days of a child’s life is a crucial period for their optimal growth and development [1]
Institutional factors that showed statistical significance exclusive breastfeeding for six months were place of delivery (χ2=14.60; p< 0.001) and presence of attendant at birth (χ2=14.18; p
Employers only allow at most three months postpartum leave before breastfeeding mothers to returned to work; this period is at variance with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months postpartum [5]. global strategies have been developed by the WHO, UNICEF and through the Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) initiatives and recommendations [7; 8], surveys in Ghana have shown poor BF practices [9; 10]
Summary
According to the United Nations Children’s’ Fund (UNICEF), the first 1000 days of a child’s life is a crucial period for their optimal growth and development [1]. In the early 1990s, the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was put in place to shore up timely and EBF rates [3]. This only covered women that delivered at the public health facilities and not the private ones. Employers only allow at most three months postpartum leave before breastfeeding mothers to returned to work; this period is at variance with WHO recommendations of EBF for the first six months postpartum [5]. global strategies have been developed by the WHO, UNICEF and through the Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) initiatives and recommendations [7; 8], surveys in Ghana have shown poor BF practices [9; 10]. Objectives: To determine the factors associated with early initiation of BF, exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) duration and timely introduction of complementary feeding.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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
