Prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding and determinants of delayed initiation of breastfeeding: secondary analysis of the WHO Global Survey

Abstract

Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) within 1 hour of birth can decrease neonatal death. However, the prevalence of EIBF is approximately 50% in many developing countries, and data remains unavailable for some countries. We conducted a secondary analysis using the WHO Global Survey on Maternal and Perinatal Health to identify factors hampering EIBF. We described the coverage of EIBF among 373 health facilities for singleton neonates for whom breastfeeding was initiated after birth. Maternal and facility characteristics of EIBF were compared to those of breastfeeding >1 hour after birth, and multiple logistic regression analysis was performed. In total, 244,569 singleton live births without severe adverse outcomes were analysed. The EIBF prevalence varied widely among countries and ranged from 17.7% to 98.4% (average, 57.6%). There was less intra-country variation for BFI <24 hours. After adjustment, EIBF was significantly lower among women with complications during pregnancy and caesarean delivery. Globally, EIBF varied considerably across countries. Maternal complications during pregnancy, caesarean delivery and absence of postnatal/neonatal care guidelines at hospitals may affect EIBF. Our findings suggest that to better promote EIBF, special support for breastfeeding promotion is needed for women with complications during pregnancy and those who deliver by caesarean section.

It takes a village: An empirical analysis of how husbands, mothers‐in‐law, health workers, and mothers influence breastfeeding practices in Uttar Pradesh, India

“…Women with C‐section had 68% reduction in EIBF, 40% reduction in EBF, and were 3.8 times more likely to provide infant with a prelacteal feed. This is consistent with findings from a large secondary analysis of the WHO Global Survey in 24 countries where infants delivered by C‐sections where 72% less likely to be breastfeed within the first hour of birth (Takahashi et al, ). Likewise, in an analysis of in‐hospital deliveries in India, women who delivered via C‐section were 2.5 times more likely to provide their infant with a prelacteal feed (Patel et al, ).…”

Predictors of breast milk substitute feeding among newborns in delivery facilities in urban Cambodia and Nepal

“…This effect was seen in Phnom Penh but did not reach statistical significance in the regression model when other variables were taken into account. Caesarean delivery is a commonly reported barrier to breastfeeding in LMIC (Kavle et al, ; Patel et al, ; Takahashi et al, ) but is not always found to increase likelihood of early BMS use, especially if the caesarean delivery is an emergency procedure rather than elective (Zanardo et al, ). Our survey did not distinguish between emergency and elective or planned caesarean deliveries, which may help explain the absence of association with BMS feeding in Phnom Penh.…”

“…Support and appropriate education on infant behaviour and cues from health professionals can aid in improving breastfeeding outcomes in developing country contexts (Imdad, Yakoob, & Bhutta, 2011;Khanal, Lee, Karkee, & Binns, 2015;Lou et al, 2014). Breastfeeding information and education received before birth during antenatal care visits were inversely associated with intro- (Kavle et al, 2017;Patel et al, 2015;Takahashi et al, 2017) but is not always found to increase likelihood of early BMS use, especially if the caesarean delivery is an emergency procedure rather than elective (Zanardo et al, 2012). Our survey did not distinguish between emergency and elective or planned caesarean deliveries, which may help explain the absence of association with BMS feeding in Phnom Penh.…”

Association of age and colostrum discarding with exclusive breastfeeding in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analyses

“…So far, several systematic reviews and meta-analyses have been conducted on TIBF and EBF. (14,18,20,(30)(31)(32) In Ethiopia, only one meta-analysis investigated the association of place of residence and delivery with TIBF. (32) In our previous meta-analyses, (unpublished results) we studied the association between maternal employment, breastfeeding counseling, model of delivery, place of delivery, sex of newborn, antenatal care and postnatal care and breastfeeding practice.…”