Short Article
Teshome Negash
Abstract
Globally prevalence of early initiation (within the first hour initiation) of breast-feeding was below 40%, and in Africa it was 47%. The prevalence of timely initiation of breast-feeding in some developing countries other than Ethiopia was documented as in Ghana (41%), Sudan (54.2%), Zambia; (70%), Jordan (49.5%), North Jordan (86.6%), Nepal (72.2%), Bolivia; (74%). In Ethiopia, two third of babies do not receive breast-feeding within the first one hour after delivery and breast-feeding within the first one hour of life was a potential mechanism for health promotion. From a public health perspective, it was important that newborns be breastfed at birth and it was internationally recommended that timely initiation and promotion of exclusive breast-feeding as the optimal method of infant feeding for the first six months of life. Timely initiation of breast-feeding is the easiest, cost effective and lifesaving interventions for the health of the new-born. About Twenty two percent of neonatal deaths could be prevented, if all infants are put to the breast within the first hour of birth. Breast-feeding was very common in Ethiopia, about 98% of children ever breastfed and Ethiopian government had developed infant and young child feeding guidelines giving appropriate emphasis to key messages on timely initiation of breast feeding in. Study done in rural Ethiopia in 2010 the prevalence of timely initiation of breast-feeding was about 52%. Nearly half of new born children in Ethiopia exposed for easily preventable neonatal death and morbidity even if breast feeding was universal due to low prevalence of timely initiation of breast feeding. Exclusive breast-feeding preceded by timely initiation and appropriate complementary feeding practices were universally accepted as essential elements for the satisfactory growth and development of infants and for prevention of childhood illness.