Background: Breastfeeding provides valuable benefits for both the mother and the baby. However, it may be delayed in some cases or not continued for the recommended duration. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of delayed onset of breastfeeding (more than 24 hours) in lactating women in the National Guard Hospital, Jeddah. Methods: A brief, self-designed questionnaire that assessed the onset and duration of breastfeeding was administered via direct communication to 234 participants in the National Guard HospitalJeddah, Saudi Arabia. Results: We found that the prevalence of delayed breastfeeding in the studied sample was 73%. Respondents who started breastfeeding after more than 24 hours had a significantly higher percentage of caesarean sections, complicated pregnancies, preterm deliveries, neonatal low birth weight, and difficulties in breastfeeding. Among the studied variables, the following were positively associated with the increased risk of starting breastfeeding after 24 hours in multivariable analyses: caesarean section (OR = 7.8, 95% CI = 2.9-20.9, P < .0001), difficulties in breastfeeding ( OR = 5.7, 95% CI = 1.9-16.8, P = 0.002) and delivery time as in preterm deliveries (OR= 2.3, 95% CI = 0.8-6.3, P = 0.119) and post term deliveries (OR= 0.2, 95 CI = 0.0-1.1, P-value = 0.058) which cumulatively gives a P-value = 0.027. Conclusion: Risk factors that increased significantly the likelihood of delayed initiation of breastfeeding included delivery by caesarean section, prematurity and difficulties in breastfeeding. Health education of women in the reproductive period should focus on the benefits of early breastfeeding to both the mother and the newborn.