Prevalence and Determinants of Early Initiation of Breastfeeding Among Mothers in Dhaka City, Bangladesh: a Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) is crucial for mothers as well as children's health, and also has the potential to prevent neonatal mortality. Thus, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with EIBF among mothers in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to July 2019, based on a sample of 422 mothers of children aged under 6 months. Data were collected by in-person interviews from a hospital's outdoor through a structured questionnaire consisted of demographic, reproductive, and healthcare utilization information. Association between variables was assessed by multiple logistic regression. The prevalence of EIBF among mothers was 48.3% [95% CI: 43.4-53.3]. Multiple logistic regression showed that being a housewife, having family income of > 10,000 BDT (Bangladeshi currency) per month, mothers education level, being multiparous, normal delivery, ANC (antenatal care) visits for ≥ 3 times, counseling prior to conception, and skin-to-skin contact after delivery significantly increased the likelihood of EIBF among mothers. Besides, mothers who gave birth to low-weight babies and provided pre-lacteal feeds to them were negatively associated with EIBF. EIBF has improved in Bangladesh during MDG era, but progress still remains slower. Key modifiable factors such as maternal education, normal delivery, ANC visits, skin-to-skin contact, and pre-lacteal feeding need to be improved to enhance the EIBF for reducing child malnutrition and mortality.

Mother and newborn skin-to-skin contact and timely initiation of breastfeeding in sub-Saharan Africa

“…Similar to the observations of previous studies [35,41,[57][58][59][60][61], this study found that infants whose mothers practiced SSC were more likely to receive TIBF. A linkage could be drawn to the success in breastfeeding outcomes as a result of the provision of sensory experiences of touch and thermal regulation, which trigger the release of oxytocin for breastmilk production [28,35].…”

Early initiation of breast feeding and associated factors among mother-baby dyads with immediate skin-to-skin contact: cross-sectional study based on the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data

“…27 Skin-to-skin contact between mothers and their newborns immediately after delivery facilitates the EIBF within the first hour of delivery. [29][30][31][32][33][34][35]…”

“…In line with this recommendation, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health Sector Development Programme Four had set a target to increase the proportion of EIBF from 69% to 92% 27. Skin-to-skin contact between mothers and their newborns immediately after delivery facilitates the EIBF within the first hour of delivery 29–35…”

“…26 Studies support that immediate skin-to-skin contact of mother-baby dyads positively affects the EIBF. [29][30][31][32][33][34][35] We studied the EIBF among mother-baby dyads with immediate skin-to-skin contact. There are lists of studies regarding the EIBF in Ethiopia.…”

“…The factors that determine EIBF are delivery assistance by health professionals, giving birth by caesarean section, wealth index, age, gender and birth order 26. Studies support that immediate skin-to-skin contact of mother-baby dyads positively affects the EIBF 29–35…”