[Initiation of breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact in Latin American countries]

To assess whether there is an association between immediate skin-to-skin contact (ISSC) and breastfeeding in the first hour of life (BF1H). This study also determined the association of other factors, such as prenatal and delivery care, with initiating BF1H.

Retrospective and observational using data from the UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). UNICEF databases from Mexico, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Argentina were employed. Participants were women (15-49 years) and their infants.

In all countries, the lack of ISSC was associated with not initiating BF1H. In Cuba, Argentina, Costa Rica, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic, lack of prenatal care, cesarean delivery, introduction of commercial infant formula (CIF) within 3 days of life, and failure to observe breastfeeding within 2 days of life were associated with not initiating BF1H. In Mexico, introduction of CIF within 3 days of life was associated with not initiating BF1H.

Regardless of the health context and the MICS survey period, CIF was associated with the initiation of breastfeeding in all countries. In all countries, failure to initiate BF1H was associated with the introduction of CIF in the first 3 days of life. These findings may support the planning of interventions to promote breastfeeding.