Breast feeding practices in home versus institutional delivaries

ABSTRACT

A cross-sectional study was conduced on 180 lactating mothers attending MCHC in Benha city to illustrate the effect of place of delivery [home or institutional] on breast feeding practices in neonates and post neonates. Analysis of data reveals that mothers of institutional deliveries were superior to those of home deliveries in adoption of some of the steps required to achieve successful breast feeding, reflecting the successful educational role carried out by health staff Mothers of institutional deliveries show statistically significant lower rates for bottle use in neonates and pacifier use in neonates and postneonates. Those mothers show statistically significant higher rates for proper positioning and attachment. However, mothers of home deliveries reflecting cultural and traditional believes concerning breast feeding show statistically significant higher rates of timely 1st suckle in neonates. In post-neonates those mothers show statistically significant higher rate of breastfeeding on both sides and statistically significant lower bottle use rate. There is statistically significant positive linear correlation between supplementation at birth with bottle use at birth, supplementation in post- neonates as well as with acute respiratory infections. Also, the same relation is found between supplementation of in neonates with diarrhoeal diseases as well as ARI There is statistically significant positive linear correlation between bottle use at birth with pacifier use at birth, bottle use in postneonate as well as with ARI. The same relation is found between bottle use after 6 weeks following birth with dehydration and ARI. It is recommended to create a conducive environment for successful breastfeeding via a well organized community oriented breast feeding education to motivate the whole culture to be mother baby friendly culture through active community participation and intersectoral collaboration. Effective legislative issues for protection of lactating mothers in home and at work