Abstract
Background and aims:Breastfeeding is the most desirable nutritional source for 0-6 months-old infants. Early and exclusive breastfeeding initiation is essential as robust primary health prevention for many children. This study aimed to examine the prediction of factors associated with early breastfeeding initiation and exclusive breastfeeding in South AfricaMethods:Data used was extracted from the South African Demographic and Health Survey 2016. A total of 3548 respondents were included in the analysis. A multivariable logistic model was applied in the analysis to examine the factors associated with breastfeeding practices.Results:About 63.3% of the respondents imitated breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth and 31.2% were exclusively breastfed during the first 6 months. The results suggest that maternal age (Odds Ratio [OR] = 2.49, 95% CI = 1.61-3.86, p<.001), antenatal care (OR = 0.80 (95% CI = 0.67-0.95, p=.009), postnatal care (AOR = 0.82 (95% CI = 0.68-0.99, p=.036), child’s health checked before leaving the hospital (AOR =0.69, 95% CI = 0.56-0.86, p<.001) were significantly associated with low initiation of breastfeeding. Maternal age (AOR = 0.44, 0.28-0.69, p=.001), birth order (AOR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.37-2.14, p=.001), and child’s health checked (AOR = 0.63, 0.41-0.96, p=.033) were significantly associated with non-exclusive breastfeeding.Conclusions:A low proportion of women practice delayed breastfeeding initiation Hence, the findings suggest that exclusive health education and counselling should be provided for the mothers before, during, and after pregnancy for greater changes in the direction of the relationship between mothers' breastfeeding initiation and performance.