Too little and too late. Initiation of breast feeding in Odisha, India: An observational study.

Kuchi, Sravya; Sahu, Suchanda; John, Joseph · J Family Med Prim Care · 2021

cross_sectional · Level IV

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Abstract

To assess of the time of breastfeeding initiation, identify reasons for delay, if any and to assess if any prelacteal feeds were offered. An observational study was conducted among the inpatients of a tertiary care centre in Bhubaneswar, India. A total of 385 mothers, without contraindications to breastfeeding were interviewed at the earliest after childbirth. Only 36.4% mothers initiated breastfeeding "timely." Those who had undergone vaginal delivery scored better than cesarean sections with 41.3% (CI 95%; <i>P</i> = 0.016). Rooming in helped at 37.6% (CI 95%; <i>P</i> = 0.006). Multiparous homemakers from nuclear families and those who had previously breast fed initiated earlier than their counterparts. Less than 5% (CI 95%; <i>P</i> = 0.056) offered prelacteal feeds, mostly water. Our study reveals an alarming decline in the timely initiation of breastfeeding in Odisha, India from 68.5% to 41.6%.