Introduction: Breastfeeding is recommended as proper infant and young child feedingrnpractice that should be initiated within the first hour after birth. Early initiation ofrnbreastfeeding protects newborns from early neonatal mortality. Timely initiation ofrnbreastfeeding also known as early initiation of breastfeeding means babies are put onrnbreast within one hour following delivery and ensuring that the infant receives therncolostrums or â€•rnfirst milkâ€–. It is one important intervention preventing childhoodrnmorbidities and mortalities. Globally, not more than 35% of infants are initiated withrnbreastfeeding. In developing countries 39% of infants are initiated with breastfeedingrnearly. In Ethiopia only 52% of the mothers practiced early initiation of breastfeeding.rnPrevalence of TIBF in Amhara Regional State in which Bahir Dar is the capital city isrnthe lowest (38%) one compared to other regions of Ethiopia.rnObjective: The objective of this study to assess timely initiation of breastfeedingrnpractices and associated factors among first time mothers who have infants less thanrnsix months of age in Bahir Dar city, Amhara Regional State, North West Ethiopia.rnMethod: Community based quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted fromrnMarch20, 2016 to April, 2016. Systematic random sampling technique was applied. Arntotal of 400 mothers who have infant less than six month old were included in thisrnstudy. The data was collected from all 9 sub cities using interviewer administeredrnquestionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to present the data.rnBoth bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out to identifyrnfactors associated with timely initiation of breastfeeding practice.rnResult: prevalence of timely initiation of breast feeding was 65%. On multivariaternlogistic regression, gender of infant being male, got breastfeeding counseling duringrnANC, place of delivery, mode delivery and supported by religious father of mothersrnwere found to be associated with TIBF. Male babies were 2 times benefited thanrnfemale babies [AOR 2.148(1.232, 3.745)] and mothers who got breastfeedingrncounseling during were also 2 times more initiate breastfeeding [AOR 2.163(1.187,rn3.942) ] than those who didnâ€˜t get. On the other hand mothers who gave birth at healthrninstitution were 8.6 times more to practice timely initiation of breastfeeding [AORrn8.639(2.089, 5.720)] than those of gave birth at home. Similarly mothers who wererndelivered by vaginal delivery were 4 times more practice timely initiation ofrnbreastfeeding [AOR 4.094(1.414, 8.728] than those who were delivered by C/s. Finallyrnmothers who got religious father support were almost 2 times more practice timelyrninitiation of breastfeeding[AOR 1.962(1.113, 3.458)] than those who were notrnsupported.rnConclusion and recommendations: prevalence of timely initiation of breastfeeding inrnthe study area was 65%. Gender of infant, breastfeeding counseling during ANC, Birthrnplace, mode of delivery and religious father support were independent predictors ofrntimely initiation of breastfeeding practice. Strengthening timely initiation ofrnbreastfeeding and provision of antenatal care service to mothers specially thoserndelivered by C/S is recommended. In addition, educating mothers both at communityrnand institutional levels as well as strengthening health professionalsâ€˜ knowledge andrnskills on breastfeeding counseling through training could be the most important actionsrnto be undertaken by concerned stakeholders.rnKeywords: Timely initiation Breastfeeding, First time mother.