Low Prevalence of Breastfeeding Initiation within the First Hour of Life in a Rural Area of Sichuan Province, China

Abstract

Early breastfeeding initiation rate was low and the use of prelacteal foods was widespread in Jiangyou. Early breastfeeding initiation was associated with higher "full breastfeeding" rates at discharge. It is important to educate doctors and nurses to assist mothers with early breastfeeding initiation and to discourage the use of non-breastmilk prelacteal feeds.