Nurturing New Beginnings: A Quality Improvement Journey to Enhance Early Breastfeeding Initiation rates

Abstract

Introduction:The World Health Organisation (WHO) has universally recognized breastfeeding as the best way to give newborns the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development, especially during the first six months of life. Even with this acknowledgment, the world's rates of the early start of breastfeeding (EIBF) are still below optimal levels, which has a substantial impact on the mortality rates of newborns. The objective of our study was to address the challenge of low EIBF rates among neonates delivered vaginally through a rigorous quality improvement process. Materials and Methods: A quality improvement study was conducted over six months at Pt B.D. Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak. The study involved postnatal mothers vaginally delivering neonates above 34 weeks gestation. A multidisciplinary team employed the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) methodology to address barriers to EIBF systematically. Baseline EIBF rates were measured, obstacles were identified through process mapping and analysis, and change ideas were iteratively tested. Results: Initial assessments revealed a baseline EIBF rate of 0%. Through successive PDSA cycles, policy gaps, procedural inefficiencies, staffing constraints, and facility limitations were systematically identified and addressed. Interventions included immediate breastfeeding initiation in the delivery room and targeted staff education. Over the study period, EIBF rates significantly improved, reaching an average of 85%. Conclusion: This study shows that EIBF rates among newborns delivered vaginally can be greatly increased with the use of a systematic quality improvement approach. Barriers to EIBF were successfully reduced through iterative PDSA cycles and the involvement of important stakeholders, resulting in long-lasting practice changes. The results highlight the benefits of early breastfeeding initiation for the health of both mothers and babies, as well as the possible influence of focused interventions on medical procedures.