The objective of the paper was to
describe the concept Early Breastfeeding Initiation (EBFI). Early breastfeeding
initiation (EBFI) is recommended within the first hour following giving birth
as a simple strategy in enhancing neonatal health and survival. Despite the
clear definition by [WHO] on EBFI, some variations still exists across board on
what exactly EBFI initiation is. The variations have compounded negatively on
neonatal outcomes hence the need to describe EBFI by assigning measurable
attributes for standardization of operations in maternity units. A literature
review of 39 articles was conducted between the years 1999 to 2016 in a period
of two weeks from the 1st to the 15th of July 2016. The
following search engines were used: Cochrane data base, Journal of human
Lactation, Pub - med and MEDLINE. EBFI has been inconsistently described within
the same health profession. Taking into cognizant the attributes of EBFI and
applying them in the maternity units has a potential of averting neonatal
deaths by a significant percentage.
Author(s) Details
Gladys Mugadza (RGN, SCM,
BSc, MSc, DPhil Fellow)
Department of Nursing
Science, University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe.
Mathilda Zvinavashe (PhD.
RN. Associate Professor)
Department of Nursing
Science, University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe.
Felicity Zvanyadza Gumbo
(MBchB, MMed(Paeds) PhD)
Department of Pediatrics,
University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe.
Babill Stray-Pedersen
University of Oslo, Norway.
Clara Haruzivishe (PhD
Midwifery/MCH, Med, Bsc Nurs.)
Department of Nursing
Science, University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe.
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