Reasons for Delayed Breastfeeding Initiation among Newly Delivered Women in Two First-Category Hospitals in Yaoundé, Cameroon

Abstract

Introduction: Exclusive breastfeeding is fundamental for the good health and development of the mother and the child. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breastfeeding after childbirth should be initiated within 30 minutes. For a number of reasons, WHO recommendations on guiding principles for infants and young children feeding are often not followed. Objective: To determine the reasons for the delayed initiation of breastfeeding in newly delivered women. Means and Method: We carried out a mixed cross-sectional study over a period of six months from December 1 st 2018 to May 31 st 2019, at the Yaoundé Gynaeco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital. We included all mothers with full-term or premature babies weighing ≥ 2000 grams and those whom initiated breastfeeding more than one hour after delivery. The mother's reasons for delaying breastfeeding initiation were recorded using a dictaphone and data were accurately extracted for analysis. Results: We interviewed 153 mothers. Their mean age was 27.9 ± 6.2 years. The main reasons for delaying breastfeeding initiation were caesarean delivery (22%), the belief in "spoiled milk" (21%), lack of knowledge about the time to initiate breastfeeding (21%), baby asleep (18%), and lack of instruction given to the mother by the health staff (2%). Conclusion: Delayed breastfeeding was common in our context. Improving the quality of breastfeeding involves communication, to break beliefs about spoiled milk, and strengthening mothers' knowledge for optimal breastfeeding processes in accordance with WHO's guidelines.

Fetal and Neonatal Complications of Gestational Diabetes: A Survey in Two Referral Hospitals of Yaoundé, Cameroon

“…The surgical delivery would thus be elective in this case, with relative indication rendering the intervention less risky and with favorable outcome [19]. Therefore, the large prescription of caesarean section appears to be indispensable and beneficial in most cases with macrosomia to prevent perinatal complications [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33]. As a matter of fact, the rate of live births above 88% found in this survey with marked reduction of birth obstetrical trauma as low as 2.5%, justifies the high rate of caesarean section practice in this context.…”

Modeling spatial determinants of initiation of breastfeeding in Ethiopia: A geographically weighted regression analysis

“…In Tigray, Amhara Afar, Southern Somali, Oromia, and Addis Ababa, it highly predicts the occurrence of late breastfeeding initiation. This could be attributable to a variety of factors, including differences in media access, lack of knowledge about the time to initiate breastfeeding, and the availability of health resources [38][39][40][41].…”

The Baby Blues and Perinatal Psychic Disorders: About Prevention and Management

“…During pregnancy, antenatal visits should be observed by women with targeted counseling and information about the progress of pregnancy, the development of the fetus, preparation for delivery, and maternity [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. This contributes to reassuring the mother and her partner, preventing worries and anxiety.…”

“…The presence of the husband or partner should be allowed in the delivery room and/or operating theatre when possible, for sympathetic assistance and mothers reassurance. Optimal obstetrical practices, just as safe delivery and effective analgesia have the double advantage of preventing pain-induced depression and enabling the mother to take care of the neonate immediately, following delivery [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22].…”

“…This is cheering and recomforting for mothers and helps to break anxiety too. Furthermore, the medical staff should emphasize to the mother's entourage and relatives, her needs for enough rest and emotional support, assistance with baby care, balanced feeding with enough hydration, and breastfeeding practice and techniques [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. Through such measures, mothers are relieved from a number of unnecessary preoccupations, so as to appease their minds and strengthen confidence, while enhancing optimism.…”