Breastfeeding Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Breastfeeding, including details on breast feeding benefits, problems, alcohol, diet.

Breastfeeding initiation and duration in Lebanon: are the hospitals "mother friendly"?

Batal M, Boulghaurjian C

Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, American University of of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. malek.batal@aub.edu.lb

Eight hundred and thirty mothers and their children aged 1 to 5 years were studied to identify the determinants of breastfeeding initiation and perseverance in relation to hospital policies. Only 18.3% of the mothers initiated breastfeeding within half an hour after birth. Mothers whose baby was brought to them every 3 hours or less were 2.5 times and mothers whose infants were brought to them for night feedings were 3 times more likely to initiate breastfeeding a few hours after birth. Mother's occupational status and whether she was breastfed were significantly associated with breastfeeding duration.

Published 18 April 2005 in J Pediatr Nurs, 20(1): 53-9.
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