Factors Influencing Early Initiation of Breastfeeding in Healthy Term Newborns: A Cross-Sectional Study at a Tertiary Care Center in South India.

Despite well-known benefits, rates of exclusive breastfeeding and early initiation of breastfeeding are very low. This study was conducted to identify most important and easily modifiable barriers to Early Initiation of Breast Feeding (EIBF). This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2018 to December 2018. Data on factors which could impact EIBF was collected by interviewing with mothers using semi-structured questionnaire. Only 306 (33.7 percent) of the total 908 mother-neonate dyads enrolled received breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth. Factors affecting EIBF included: delivery by lower segment cesarean section (LSCS), lack of prenatal advice on breastfeeding, use of prelacteal feeds, and maternal illness. Rates of EIBF were very low in present setting. Counseling during antenatal visits on the importance of EIBF, and having adequate staff to support initiation of BF, may improve the EIBF.