Breastfeeding practices and experience of mothers during the first seven days of delivery

Priyal Sharma; Ruchi Kalra; Sadaf Ikram

doi:10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20263686

Authors

Priyal Sharma Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peoples College of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, M. P., India
Ruchi Kalra Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peoples College of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, M. P., India
Sadaf Ikram Department of Paediatrics, Peoples College of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, M. P., India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20263686

Keywords:

Breastfeeding practices, Early initiation, Exclusive breastfeeding, Postnatal mothers, Breastfeeding difficulties

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding significantly reduces neonatal morbidity and mortality. The early postnatal period, particularly first seven days after delivery, plays a decisive role in establishing effective breastfeeding practices. Understanding breastfeeding practices, maternal experiences, and associated factors during this critical window is essential for designing targeted interventions. Aim was to assess breastfeeding practices and experiences of mothers during the first seven days after delivery and to identify maternal and delivery-related factors influencing these practices.

Methods: A hospital-based observational study was conducted among 235 postnatal mothers over 6 months using a pre-validated structured questionnaire, including socio-demographic characteristics, mode of delivery, antenatal breastfeeding education, delivery to initiation of breastfeeding interval, exclusive breastfeeding status till day 7 postpartum, pre-lacteal feeding, and breastfeeding-related difficulties.

Results: The 59.6% mothers were aged 20-30 years, and 56.1% were primipara. Breastfeeding was initiated within two hours of birth by 40% of mothers. Exclusive breastfeeding till day 7 postpartum was practised by 75.74%. Pre-lacteal feeds given by 15.7% colostrum feeding practised by 95.7% of participants. Vaginal delivery was significantly associated with early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding compared to caesarean section (p<0.05). Antenatal Breastfeeding education showed a strong positive association with colostrum feeding (p<0.001). Lack of family support, nipple pain, and perceived insufficient milk were the most common breastfeeding difficulties. Primipara mothers experienced higher breastfeeding difficulties than multipara mothers (p<0.01).

Conclusions: Breastfeeding practices during the first seven days postpartum need to be strengthened. Antenatal breastfeeding counselling, early postnatal lactation support, and family support are essential to improve early initiation, exclusivity, and overall breastfeeding experiences.

References

Victora CG, Bahl R, Barros AJD, França GVA, Horton S, Krasevec J, et al. Breastfeeding in the 21st century: epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effects. Lancet. 2016;387(10017):475-90.

Gianni ML, Bettinelli ME, Manfra P. Breastfeeding Difficulties and Risk for Early Breastfeeding Cessation. Nutrients. 2019;11(10):2266.

Zewdu F, Mekonnen S, Atenafu A. Early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding practices and associated factors among first-time mothers attending governmental maternal and child health clinics in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia: a mixed method study. Int Breastfeed J. 2025;20(1):27.

World Health Organization. Guideline: Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding in facilities providing maternity and newborn services. Geneva: WHO. 2017. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241550086. Accessed on 25 August 2026.

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Breastfeeding: A Mother’s Gift, for Every Child. New York: UNICEF; 2018. Available at: https://www.unicef.org/media/48046/file/UNICEF_Breastfeeding_A_Mothers_Gift_for_Every_Child.pdf. Accessed on 25 August 2026.

World Health Organization. Global strategy for infant and young child feeding: The optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Fifty-fourth World Health Assembly. Document A54/INF.DOC./4. 2001. Available at: https://apps.who.int/gb/archive/pdf_files/WHA54/ea54id4.pdf. Accessed on 25 August 2026.

Rollins NC, Bhandari N, Hajeebhoy N, Horton S, Lutter CK, Martines JC, et al. Why invest, and what it will take to improve breastfeeding practices? Lancet. 2016;387(10017):491-504.

McFadden A, Gavine A, Renfrew MJ, Wade A, Buchanan P, Taylor JL, et al. Support for healthy breastfeeding mothers with healthy term babies. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2:CD001141.

Odom EC, Li R, Scanlon KS, Perrine CG, Grummer-Strawn LM. Reasons for earlier than desired cessation of breastfeeding. Pediatrics. 2013;131(3):e726-32.

Prior E, Santhakumaran S, Gale C, Philipps LH, Modi N, Hyde MJ. Breastfeeding after cesarean delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of world literature. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012;95(5):1113-35.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) Phase-II (2019-21): Key Indicators-14 States/UTs (and India). 2021. Available at: https://mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/NFHS-5_Phase-II_0.pdf. Accessed on 25 August 2026.

Hasan M, Hassan M, Khan MS, Tareq M, Afroj M. Prevalence, knowledge, attitudes and factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in Dhaka, Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study. Population Med. 2021;3(9):1-7.

Gupta A, Dadhich JP, Bidla N. Breastfeeding policy brief. Delhi: Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI); 2020. Available at: https://www.bpni.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/policy-brief-april-2020.pdf. Accessed on 25 August 2026.

La Adili DRS, Salma WO, Tosepu R, Husen AH. Factors related to the exclusive breastfeeding in the working area of PHC Poasia, Kendari City. Iberoamerican J Med. 2021;3(4):300-6.

Patel S, Nigam KK, Babu GC, Kadali SRM. A study of breast-feeding practices among rural women. Public Health Review: Int J Public Health Res. 2020;7(6):51-7.

World Health Organization (WHO). WHO eLENA: Antenatal breastfeeding education (Evidence summary). Available at: https://www.who.int/tools/elena/interventions/breastfeeding-education-antenatal. Accessed on 25 August 2026.

Konar N, Ray S, Dasgupta A. Antenatal and postnatal counseling support for improving breastfeeding practices: A randomized controlled trial. Indian Pediatrics. Indian Pediatr. 2019;56(2):107-8.

UNICEF. Global breastfeeding scorecard 2023: Rates of breastfeeding increase around the world through improved protection and support. 2023. Available at: https://www.unicef.org/media/150586/file/Global%20breastfeeding%20scorecard%2023.pdf. Accessed on 25 August 2026.

Muro-Valdez JC, Meza-Rios A, Aguilar-Uscanga BR, Lopez-Roa RI, Medina-Díaz E, Franco-Torres EM, et al. Breastfeeding-related health benefits in children and mothers: vital organs perspective. Medicina (Kaunas). 2023;59(9):1535.

Zong X, Wu H, Zhao M, Magnussen CG, Xi B. Global prevalence of WHO infant feeding practices in 57 LMICs in 2010-2018 and time trends since 2000 for 44 LMICs. E-Clin Med. 2021;37:100971.

Moret-Tatay A, Pérez-Bermejo M, Asins-Cubells A, Moret-Tatay C, Murillo-Llorente MT. A systematic review of multifactorial barriers related to breastfeeding. Healthcare (Basel). 2025;13(11):1225.

de Senna AFK, Giugliani C, Avilla J, Bizon AMBL, Martins ACM, Giugliani ERJ. Maternal satisfaction with breastfeeding in the first month postpartum and associated factors. Int Breastfeed J. 2020;15(1):72.

International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) and ICF. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), India, 2019-21. Mumbai: IIPS. 2021.

Verduci E, Vizzuso S, Frassinetti A, Mariotti L, Del Torto A, Fiore G, et al. Nutripedia: The Fight against the Fake News in Nutrition during Pregnancy and Early Life. Nutrients. 2021;13:2998.

Ojantausta O, Pöyhönen N, Ikonen R, Kaunonen M. Health professionals' competencies regarding breastfeeding beyond 12 months: A systematic review. Int Breastfeed J. 2023;18:55.

Hawkes C, Ruel M, Salm L, Sinclair B, Branca F. Double-duty actions: seizing programme and policy opportunities to address malnutrition in all its forms. Lancet. 2020;395(10218):142-55.