International Journal of
Nursing and Midwifery

  • Abbreviation: Int. J. Nurs. Midwifery
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2456
  • DOI: 10.5897/IJNM
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 213

Full Length Research Paper

Early breastfeeding initiation (EBFI)

Gladys Mugadza
  • Gladys Mugadza
  • University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe.
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Mathilda Zvinavashe
  • Mathilda Zvinavashe
  • University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe.
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Felicity
  • Felicity
  • University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe.
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Zvanyadza Gumbo
  • Zvanyadza Gumbo
  • University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe.
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Babill Stray-Pedersen
  • Babill Stray-Pedersen
  • University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe.
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Clara Haruzivishe
  • Clara Haruzivishe
  • University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe.
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  •  Received: 02 November 2016
  •  Accepted: 15 December 2016
  •  Published: 31 December 2016

Abstract

The objective of the paper was to describe the concept Early Breastfeeding Initiation (EBFI). Early breastfeeding initiation (EBFI) is recommended within the first hour following giving birth as a simple strategy in enhancing neonatal health and survival. Despite the clear definition by [WHO] on EBFI, some variations still exists across board on what exactly EBFI initiation is. The variations have compounded negatively on neonatal outcomes hence the need to describe EBFI by assigning measurable attributes for standardisation of operations in maternity units. A literature review of 39 articles was conducted between the years 1999 to 2016 in a period of two weeks from the 1st to the 15th of July 2016. The following search engines were used: Cochrane data base, Journal of human Lactation, Pub- med and MEDLINE. EBFI has been inconsistently described within the same health profession. Taking into cognisant the attributes of EBFI and applying them in the maternity units has a potential of averting neonatal deaths by a significant percentage.

Key words: Early breastfeeding initiation.

Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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