Effect of cesarean section on breastfeeding at the age of 6 months

Background and aim Milk from a mother’s breast is the most suitable nutrient source for healthy growth and development of infants. Cesarean section (CS) is one of the factors that affect breastfeeding. This study aimed to show the effect of CS on breastfeeding at the age of 6 months. Patients and methods This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in primary health care centers of Sherbin District during a period of 1 year from December 2018 to December 2019. Each mother underwent full history taking and assessment of breastfeeding state regarding the following parameters: time of initiation of breastfeeding, no prelacteal feeding practice, exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), and breastfeeding performance index (BFPI). Results Time of initiation of breastfeeding, no prelacteal feeding practice, EBF, and BFPI are significantly higher in normal vaginal delivery than CS, with P values of 0.043, 0.028, 0.001, and less than or equal to 0.001, respectively. CS group is more likely to be younger and primiparous than the vaginal group. EBF was more evident among housewives, previously breastfed mothers, and mothers delivered vaginally than the CS group. Suckling before 1 h is more common among older mothers (>30 years of age), multiparous mothers, and previously breastfed mothers. Labor in a nonprivate place and CS were found to have a 30% more incidence of suckling after 1 h. No prelacteal feeding practice is more commonly seen among older mothers, multiparous, previously breastfed mothers, and mothers delivered vaginally than the CS group. Previously breastfed mothers and mothers delivered vaginally are more likely to have high BFPI. Conclusions CS is a negatively associated with EBF, early breastfeeding start, no prelacteal feeding practice, and BFPI.