Publication:

Prelacteal feeding practices among mothers of infants: prevalence, patterns, and determinants

Background Prelacteal feeding is the practice of providing a newborn any food or fluid other than mother's milk, before breastfeeding is established. It delays the early initiation of breastfeeding, and increases the risk of neonatal infections. Prelacteal feeding is still strongly ingrained in Indian culture and traditions, despite national guidelines discouraging this practice. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of prelacteal feeding among mothers of children aged up to one year, to describe the types of prelacteal feeds used and identify the associated determinants.

Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 mothers of children aged up to one year. Multistage stratified sampling was employed, and data were collected using a validated semi-structured questionnaire. Associations between socio-demographic/obstetric factors and prelacteal feeding practice were evaluated and a p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results Among the 400 participants, 211 (52.8%), had given prelacteal feeds to their newborn, while 162 (40.5%) had not and 27 (6.8%) were unaware. Ghutti was the most commonly used feed (114; 54.0%). Elder's suggestion was the predominant reason cited (107; 50.7%). No socio-demographic/obstetric factors showed a statistically significant association with prelacteal feeding practice.

Conclusions Prelacteal feeding was practiced by more than half of the mothers in this community. The absence of a significant association with any individual-level socio-demographic or obstetric factor may suggest that the practice is sustained by deep-rooted, family-mediated cultural norms that cut across education and socio-economic strata.