The Effect of Early Initiation of Breastfeeding on Neonatal Mortality among Low Birth Weight in Aceh Province, Indonesia: An Unmatched Case Control Study

Background. Early initiation of breastfeeding is the breastfeed that is received by the baby within the first hour of birth. It is recommended to reduce infant mortality and illness. Objective. To assess the effect of early initiation of breastfeeding on neonatal mortality for low birth weight in Aceh province, Indonesia. Method. In this qualitative study unmatched case controls were used as the design. Data was collected in 8 districts in Aceh province, Indonesia, between January and December 2012. The total sample for this study was 500？LBW who were born between 2010 and 2012, subdivided into 250？LBW who died in neonatal period and 250？LBW who survived during neonatal period. Result. Thermal care and hygienic practice were not significantly associated with neonatal mortality among LBW. Feeding and early initiation of breastfeeding were associated. Discussion. Early initiation of breastfeeding had an effect on neonatal mortality for the low birth weight in Aceh province, Indonesia. The risk of mortality was decreased for those neonates who accepted breast milk within the first hour after birth. Therefore it is concluded that a new strategy to promote and improve the coverage of the initiation of breastfeeding is needed. 1. Introduction Breastfeeding has many health benefits for both the mother and infant. To reduce infant mortality and ill health, the mother first provides breast milk to her infant within one hour of birth—referred to as “early initiation of breastfeeding” [1]. This ensures that the infant receives the colostrum (“first milk”) [1]. Colostrums: there are ninety known components of the colostrum and two primary benefits. The two primary benefits are immune factors and growth factors. Colostrum also contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids needed by the neonates [2]. There is growing evidence of the significant impact of early initiation of breastfeeding, preferably within the first hour after birth, on reducing overall neonatal mortality [3]. It ensures that skin-to-skin contact is made early on, an important factor in preventing hypothermia and establishing the bond between mother and child. Early initiation of breastfeeding also reduces a mother’s risk of postpartum hemorrhage, one of the leading causes of maternal mortality [3]. Colostrum, the mother’s milk during the first postpartum days, provides protective antibodies and indispensable nutrients, essentially acting as a first immunization for newborns, strengthening their immune system and reducing the chances of death in the neonatal period [3]. Optimally, the baby should