Breast milk is the optimal and essential source of nutrients for babies. Many women,
however, do not breastfeed or stop early after giving birth, often due to lack of
support. For newborns delivered by caesarean section, there is often a delay, or no
skin-to-skin contact after birth; thus, early breastfeeding is not achieved. Separation,
complementary feeding or pacifier use also limits the mother’s ability to breastfeed.
A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted. Sociodemographic data, the mode
of delivery and postpartum circumstances, information on breastfeeding, and the method
and duration of feeding were collected (n = 2008). Two-thirds of children born by
caesarean section did not have skin-to-skin contact after birth (p < 0.001). Lack
of rooming-in placement increased the incidence of more frequent complementary feeding
(p < 0.001) and shortened the duration of exclusive breastfeeding (p < 0.001). The
duration of breastfeeding may also be negatively affected by scheduled feeding (p
= 0.007) and pacifier utilization (p < 0.001). The mode of delivery and postpartum
circumstances directly affecting the mother and the newborn can affect the feasibility
of breastfeeding and the duration of exclusive and partial breastfeeding. For positive
breastfeeding outcomes, skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth, rooming-in and
unrestricted, demand breastfeeding, as well as the avoidance of the use of pacifiers,
are recommended.
