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Age during breast feeding and timely suckling
A Vatsayan1, A K Gupta, D Dhadwal
1Department of OBG, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla.
Indian Journal of Pediatrics
|November 1, 1996
Summary
Early initiation of breastfeeding is crucial for infant health. This study found median initiation times of 4-5 hours, with most infants breastfed within 24 hours, highlighting the need for community education programs.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Maternal Health
Background:
- Early initiation of breastfeeding is vital for infant nutrition and development.
- Understanding the determinants of timely breastfeeding is essential for public health interventions.
- Previous studies indicate varying rates of early breastfeeding initiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the age at first breastfeeding and its determinants among mothers and infants in Shimla.
- To evaluate the timeliness of breastfeeding initiation in urban and rural populations.
- To identify factors influencing early breastfeeding practices.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 398 mothers and infants.
- Data collection on the age of first breastfeeding and associated maternal factors.
- Comparison of breastfeeding initiation rates between urban and rural groups.
Main Results:
- The median age at breastfeeding initiation was 5 hours in urban areas and 4 hours in rural areas.
- A high rate of infants (most) were breastfed within 24 hours of birth, exceeding previous study findings.
- No clear trend was observed between mother's education and breastfeeding initiation, suggesting other influencing factors.
Conclusions:
- While most infants were breastfed within 24 hours, community-based educational programs are needed to further promote early initiation.
- Training health workers in lactation management counseling is recommended.
- These interventions can contribute to healthy child development and prevent childhood malnutrition.