A Quality Improvement Initiative: Improving Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate in First Week to Newborns Delivered to Post-LSCS Mother

The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend early breastfeeding initiation within the first hour of birth fornewborn survival and long-term breastfeeding practice. However, 78 million babies or three in five, are not breastfed withinthe first hour, increasing the risk of death or disease. In India, institutional deliveries are increasing and caesarean sectionsare increasing, making it crucial to remove barriers to early breastfeeding initiation. So, we planned a study aimed to improveexclusive breastfeeding rates in first week to newborns delivered to post-LSCS mother.This study was designed as a quality improvement study in government medical college, Latur. Study was conducted forperiod of 6 months including all hemodynamically stable newborns admitted to postnatal ward with mother. We used a stepwise Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) approach to assess the problem initiating breastfeeding early. After baseline meetings with staff and doctors, a quality improvement team was formed. We conducted three PDSA cycles (PDSA I, PDSA II and PDSA III) of2 months each, followed by a post-intervention phase. During 6 months, PDSA I, II and III results were 70%, 80% and 95%respectively. We conclude that Quality Improvement (QI) measures ensured early initiation of breastfeeding in all newborns.