Facilitators and Barriers in Initiation of Breastfeeding within an Hour of Child Birth among Women at Selected Community

Abstract

Introduction: Most of the world’s new-born are left waiting too long to begin breastfeeding. In 2017, 78

million new-borns were estimated to wait more than one hour to be put to the breast. This study aimed to

assess the facilitators and barriers in initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of child birth.

Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted at selected community in Chennai with a sample size of

60 mothers through purposive sampling technique. Data was collected using demographic variable proforma,

obstetrical variable proforma, checklist to assess the facilitators and barriers in initiation of breastfeeding

within one hour of childbirth.

Results: In initiation of breastfeeding Majority of the mothers felt antenatal preparation (100%) and support

from health professionals (54.4%) as Facilitators,96% of the mothers considered Pain during labour and new

borns refused to feed as the barriers. There was significant association between initiation of breastfeeding

within one hour of childbirth and selected Variables such as age of the mother (?2= 5.1428), knowledge

about breastfeeding (?2=4.826) and source of information from health professionals (?2= 4.343, p>0.50).

Conclusion: This study helps in understanding the facilitators and barriers in initiation of breastfeeding.

By analysing these factors, Nurses and nursing students can step up to empower mothers to promote early

breastfeeding.