Publication:

Traditional beliefs a boon or a curse in rearing a newborn

Background Traditional beliefs in rearing newborns are deeply rooted in the history and culture of a community. They reflect the values, norms, and experiences of a society and often vary significantly from one culture to another. These practices can be influenced by factors such as geography, religion.

Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at Navodaya medical college and research centre, Raichur and Selected UHTC and PHC’S of Raichur from July 1, 2024 to July 31 2024. A total of 100 mothers and grandparents were interviewed and data was collected after taking consent.

Results In our study 6% of mothers discarded colostrum. Around 8% of mothers gave pre-lacteal feeds. Around 26% of mothers poured oil into ears, 91% of mothers applied oil on head.

Conclusions The study reveals that while mothers value traditional beliefs in newborn care, integrating these practices with modern medical advice is crucial for promoting infant health and ensuring culturally sensitive healthcare.