Investigating the timing of breastfeeding initiation among mothers in South Africa: Insight from the SADHS2016

Abstract

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to maintain health and ensure child survival. Despite its benefits, the initiation of newborns to the breast is not systematic and often subject to some misconceptions. Based on data analysed from the 2016 South Africa Demographic and Health Survey, this study explores the factors that influence the time a newborn is put to the breast. SPSS Version 28, descriptive analysis and cross-tabulations were used for data analysis, and the Chi-square test was utilised to examine the relationship between the timing of breastfeeding and mothers’ characteristics. The factors associated with time to breastfeeding initiation were also identified using the multivariate logistic regression. The results at the bivariate level indicated that the population group of mothers, delivery via Caesarean section, type of place of residence, and the number of antenatal visits influenced the early initiation of breastfeeding of mothers in South Africa. The aspects significantly associated with early breastfeeding initiation were influenced by region, place of residence, and type of delivery. Compared to women in the Western Cape region, those in the Eastern Cape (aOR = 0.35) and the Northwest (aOR = 0.28) regions were less likely to initiate early breastfeeding of their infants. Rural women (aAOR = 0.63) and mothers who had undergone a Caesarean section (aOR = 0.53) were less likely to initiate breastfeeding immediately than urban women and mothers who had a vaginal delivery, respectively. Hence, there’s need for awareness and community outreach regarding the timing of early breastfeeding initiation among mothers. More targeted interventions should be made available for rural dwellers, women who give birth by Caesarean section, and those in the Eastern Cape and the Northwest provinces of the country.