Author(s)

Christopher Bismarck Eke¹, Israel Odutola Odetunde¹, Samuel Nkachukwu Uwaezuoke¹, Uzoamaka Vivian Muoneke^1*, Nnamdi Benson Onyire², Uchenna Ekwochi³, Chika Nwanma Onwasigwe⁴

¹Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria/Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.
²Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki/Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
³Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT)/ESUT Teaching Hospital, Park Lane, Enugu, Nigeria.
⁴Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria/Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.

Background: The importance of early breastfeeding initiation to both the mother and infant is enormous as it reduces the likelihood of neonatal mortality as well as maternal postpartum haemorrhage. The objectives of the study were to assess the prevalence and determinants of correct breastfeeding initiation time among newborns delivered at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. Methods: This was a cross sectional descriptive study. Relevant maternal and new-born birth characteristics were obtained using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the factors that are significantly associated with correct breastfeeding initiation time with the level of significance set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 321 mother-newborn pairs were studied. 86 (26.8%) of the respondents correctly initiated breastfeeding within 1 hour of delivery. Planned pregnancy, pre-pregnancy decision on infant feeding options, primiparity, vaginal delivery and breast milk as first food given to the neonate post-delivery were associated with increased likelihood of correct breastfeeding initiation time. Conclusion: Correct breastfeeding initiation time among respondents is low. Planned pregnancy, pre-pregnancy decision on infant feeding option before pregnancy, primiparity, vaginal delivery and breast milk as first food given to the neonate after delivery were associated with having correct breastfeeding initiation time among respondents. Efforts should be made to complement Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative with baby friendly community initiative in order to improve the rate of correct breastfeeding initiation time in our setting.

Breastfeeding Initiation Time, Newborns, Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative

Eke, C. , Odetunde, I. , Uwaezuoke, S. , Muoneke, U. , Onyire, N. , Ekwochi, U. and Onwasigwe, C. (2019) Determinants of Breast-Feeding Initiation Time among Newborns Delivered in a Tertiary Baby Friendly Health Facility in Enugu, Nigeria. Open Journal of Pediatrics, 9, 47-61. doi: 10.4236/ojped.2019.91006.