>Early initiation of breastfeeding: Antenatal, peripartum, and neonatal correlates

Introduction: The World Health Organization recommends early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF). This is because breastfeeding is important for the child's development and has maternal benefits. Current literature has focused on sociodemographic factors, and the evidence supporting antenatal, peripartum, and neonatal variables is limited and contradicting. The main aim of this study is to report the rates of early breastfeeding initiation and their antenatal, peripartum, and neonatal correlates. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study of pregnant women who attended the labor ward of the Specialty Hospital in Amman, Jordan between September 1, 2019, and June 1, 2020, was conducted. Inclusion criteria required women to be 18 years of age or more. Demographic, antenatal, peripartum, and neonatal data were collected. The timing of breastfeeding initiation was recorded in the 1st h and between 1 and 24 h and then data were analyzed. Results: A total of 300 women were recruited with mean age of 29.5 years and mean gestational age being 38.6 weeks. In addition, breastfeeding initiation rates were 26.3% and 65.5% within the 1st h and between 1 and 24 h, respectively. Antenatal, peripartum, and neonatal variables that were associated with lower rates of EIBF (P < 0.05) include antenatal obstetrics complications, induction of labor, assisted vaginal delivery, caesarean section (CS), CS performed on maternal request, CS under general anesthesia, surgical site pain, mother's perception of inadequate pain management, preterm delivery, low Apgar scores, low birth weight, neonatal intensive care unit admission, and less frequent rooming-in. Conclusion: Rates of breastfeeding initiation within the first hour and between 1 and 24 h of delivery were 26.3% and 65.5%, respectively. Compared to antenatal variables, the peripartum and neonatal variables are more likely to have significant effects on EIBF. Therefore, more obstetric attention should focus on these factors to improve rates of initiating breastfeeding early.