Timely Breastfeeding Initiation After Delivery A Key Step for Infant Health

Introduction

Breastfeeding within the first hour of life plays a vital role in ensuring the health and survival of newborns. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), timely breastfeeding can significantly reduce neonatal mortality and foster long-term health benefits. Despite these recommendations, many regions, including parts of Ethiopia, experience challenges in promoting early breastfeeding practices. A recent study published in the Clinical Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology sheds light on the rates and influencing factors of breastfeeding initiation among mothers with cesarean and vaginal deliveries in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Visit https://www.obstetricgynecoljournal.com for more groundbreaking research).

The Study An Overview

The research, titled “Timely initiation of breastfeeding and associated factors among mothers with vaginal and cesarean deliveries in public hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia”, involved 322 mothers. It compared the prevalence and determinants of early breastfeeding among those undergoing vaginal delivery (VD) and cesarean delivery (CD).
Read the full study at https://doi.org/10.29328/journal.cjog.1001106.

Key points:

• Timely initiation of breastfeeding (TIBF) was observed in 80% of vaginal deliveries and 51.2% of cesarean deliveries.
• Factors like multiparity, support from healthcare workers, and avoiding pre-lacteal feeding were significant determinants for successful TIBF.
• Cesarean deliveries had additional challenges such as anesthesia effects, fatigue, and delayed skin-to-skin contact.

Importance of Early Breastfeeding

Early initiation of breastfeeding is not merely a recommendation; it is a crucial intervention. As emphasized by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), early breastfeeding helps:

• Enhance cognitive development.
• Reduce risks of infections, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and chronic illnesses.
• Strengthen the mother-child emotional bond.

These benefits are critical in the first 28 days of life, the most vulnerable period for newborn survival.

Findings Specific to Cesarean Deliveries

Mothers undergoing cesarean sections faced significant hurdles:

• Only 51.2% initiated breastfeeding within the first hour.
• Major barriers included postoperative pain, anesthesia effects, and lack of immediate support.
• Multiparous mothers (those with previous childbirth experiences) were 2.14 times more likely to breastfeed early than first-time mothers.
• Support from healthcare providers more than doubled the chances of timely breastfeeding initiation (AOR = 2.60).

Findings Specific to Vaginal Deliveries

For vaginal deliveries, early breastfeeding was much higher, at 80%:

• Pre-lacteal feeding was a major influencing factor.
• Mothers who avoided pre-lacteal feeding were 2.54 times more likely to breastfeed within the first hour.

Clearly, educating mothers about the risks of pre-lacteal feeding and ensuring supportive delivery environments can dramatically improve early breastfeeding rates.

Broader Implications and Call for Action

Despite Ethiopia’s national plans to boost breastfeeding initiation to 92% by 2015, the actual rates still fall short. The findings call for:

• Enhanced training of maternity ward staff to provide hands-on breastfeeding support.
• Special assistance for cesarean-delivered and first-time mothers.
• Community education programs to dispel harmful traditional practices like pre-lacteal feeding.

A detailed analysis can be found in our main journal article.

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Conclusion

Breastfeeding initiation within the first hour of life is achievable for all delivery types. Strategic interventions focusing on professional support, maternal education, and the discouragement of prelacteal feeding can bridge the gap between policy and practice.

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