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World J Clin Pediatr. Sep 9, 2026; 15(3): 118218
Published online Sep 9, 2026. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.118218
Published online Sep 9, 2026. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.118218
Empowering early breastfeeding: Determinants of timely initiation among the infants in a rural Indian medical centre
Dipika M Mashalkar, Mahesh N Sonar, Vidyadevi D Kendre, Department of Pediatrics, Mahara
Dattatray V Kulkarni, Department of Pediatrics, Medicover Hospital, Pune 411026, India
Basawraj S Warad, Department of Surgery, Maharashtra Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (Medical College), Latur 413531, India
Basavraj S Nagoba, Department of Microbiology, Maharashtra Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (Medical College), Latur 413531, India
Author contributions: Mashalkar DM and Sonar MN conceptualised and designed the study, developed the study outline, and coordinated manuscript preparation; Kendre VD, Kulkarni DV, Warad BS and Nagoba BS made substantial contributions to the study design, data interpretation, and critical discussion of the manuscript; Mashalkar DM, Sonar MN and Nagoba BS drafted, critically revised, and edited the manuscript for important intellectual content and contributed to the literature review. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript to be published.
Institutional review board statement: The study was approved by the Institutional Ethical Committee vide its letter dated 04/10/2022, No. MIMSR/YCRH/PEDS/44/2022.
Informed consent statement: Written informed consent was obtained from all the mothers, and those who did not give consent were excluded from the study.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
STROBE statement: The authors have read the STROBE Statement-checklist of items, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the STROBE Statement-checklist of items.
Data sharing statement: Will be made available by the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Corresponding author: Basavraj S Nagoba, PhD, Professor, Department of Microbiology, Maharashtra Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (Medical College), Vishwanathpuram, Ambajogai Road, Latur 413531, India. dr_bsnagoba@yahoo.com
Received: December 28, 2025
Revised: February 2, 2026
Accepted: March 4, 2026
Published online: September 9, 2026
Processing time: 216 Days and 7.8 Hours
Revised: February 2, 2026
Accepted: March 4, 2026
Published online: September 9, 2026
Processing time: 216 Days and 7.8 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: This study reveals that while early initiation of breastfeeding in a rural area of Maharashtra (50.8%) exceeds national averages, it remains suboptimal. Antenatal counselling emerged as the most significant modifiable predictor of success, whereas caesarean sections and maternal illness were primary barriers. To meet global health targets, clinical interventions must prioritise standardised prenatal breastfeeding education and provide enhanced lactation support for surgical deliveries to ensure the vital “first-hour” window is utilised.