Neonatal Determinants of Inadequate Breastfeeding: A Survey among a Group of Neonate Infants in Yaoundé, Cameroon

Ngwanou Dany Hermann, Georges Pius Kamsu Moyo^*

Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon.

DOI: 10.4236/oalib.1106541                

Abstract

Exclusive breastfeeding is essential for the newborn’s development. According to the WHO, breastfeeding after childbirth should be initiated within the first 30 minutes to an hour following delivery. Early and adequate breastfeeding practices contribute to the reduction of neonatal morbidity and mortality, but are oftentimes not respected. The objective of this survey was to determine neonatal factors associated with breastfeeding initiation and its adequate practice. We carried out a cross-sectional study at the Yaoundé Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital from December 2018 to May 2019. All livebirth infants weighing > 2000 g were included. A total of 250 neonate infants were enrolled. Newborns had satisfactory adaptation to extra-uterine life in 240 cases (96%), and vaginal route was the main mode of delivery in 172 women (70%). The newborns had a mean gestational age (GA) of 38.4 ± 1.6 weeks and a mean birth weight of 3168.6 ± 508.7 g. The male sex predominated by a ratio of 1.29. The average time of breastfeeding initiation was 120 minutes. Only 100 (40%) newborns were put to the breast within the first hour after birth and up to 153 (61.2%) mothers practiced inadequate breastfeeding. Among factors associated with inadequate breastfeeding practices, neonatal determinants were neonates delivered through caesarean section, gestational age (GA) < 37 weeks, low birth weight (LBW) < 2500 g and neonatal infection. Therefore, a number of neonatal factors may disrupt breastfeeding in newly delivered women. These may be prevented by reducing the rate of caesarean and premature deliveries through efficient antenatal follow-up, the prevention of risk factors to neonatal sepsis during the perinatal period.

Keywords

Breastfeeding, Neonatal Factors, Cameroon

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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