Birth in Baby-Friendly Hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: a protective factor for breastfeeding?

This article aims to investigate the impact of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) on exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). This was a cross-sectional study with 811 mothers of infants under five months of age, randomly selected at five health centers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The exposure variable was hospital of birth, categorized in accredited hospitals (BFH), certified hospitals (CBFH), and hospitals without accreditation. The data were analyzed by complementary log-log transformation models, which capture cohort longitudinal experience (current status data). Even after adjusting the analysis for maternal socio-demographic, lifestyle, and psychological factors, health services use, and infants' age and health status, duration of EBF was longer in infants born in BFH and CBFH. The findings suggest the effectiveness of BFHI in maintaining EBF throughout the early months of life. To extend EBF through the first six months of life would require not only strengthening the BFHI but also developing and encouraging more actions in favor of breastfeeding, focusing on primary healthcare facilities.