Breast-feeding initiation and determinants of exclusive breast-feeding – a questionnaire survey in an urban population of western Nepal

Abstract

Objective: To assess rates of initiation of breast-feeding and exclusive breast-feeding within 2 months after delivery and to determine the factors influencing exclusive breast-feeding. Design: A health worker-administered questionnaire survey was carried out during the time period 1 August-30 September 2005. Setting: Immunisation clinics of Pokhara, a submetropolitan city in western Nepal. Subjects: Three hundred and eighty-five mothers who had delivered a child within the previous 2 months. Results: The rates of initiation within 1 h and within 24 h of delivery were 72.7 and 84.4%, respectively. Within 2 months after delivery, exclusive breast-feeding was practised by 82.3% of the mothers. Breast milk/colostrum was given as the first feed to 332 (86.2%) babies but 17.2% of them were either given expressed breast milk or were put to the breast of another lactating mother. Pre-lacteal feeds were given to 14% of the babies. The common pre-lacteal feeds given were formula feeds (6.2%), sugar water (5.9%) and cow's milk (2.8%). Complementary feeds were introduced by 12.7% of the mothers. By logistic regression analysis, friends' feeding practices, type of delivery and baby's first feed were the factors influencing exclusive breast-feeding practice of the mothers. Conclusions: Despite the higher rates of initiation and exclusive breast-feeding, practices such as pre-lacteal feeds and premature introduction of complementary feeds are of great concern in this urban population. There is a need for promotion of good breast-feeding practices among expectant mothers and also the community, especially the families, taking into account the local traditions and customs.

A comparative analytic study of knowledge, attitude and practice of breast feeding in primi and multipara women at a tertiary care centre in Gujarat, India

“…The study from Western Nepal, India, obtained a higher rate (72.2%) of breastfeeding initiation. 23 Findings from recent studies have shown that neonatal mortality could be significantly reduced by 22% when breastfeeding was commenced within the first hour. 25 The major reasons for late initiation of breastfeeding in our study were caesarian section (13%) and inadequate lactation 8%.…”

Knowledge, attitude and practice of breast feeding at a tertiary care centre in the government medical college and hospital, Aurangabad, India

“…The study from Western Nepal, India, obtained a higher rate (72.2%) of breastfeeding initiation. 14 Findings from recent studies have shown that neonatal mortality could be significantly reduced by 22% when breastfeeding was commenced within the first hour. 15 The major reasons for late initiation of breastfeeding in our study were caesarian section (13%) and inadequate lactation 8%.…”

Determinants of the Introduction of Prelacteal Feeds in Rural Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Community-Based Study

“…WHO and UNICEF guidelines state that nothing should be provided to the child before initiating breastfeeding (5). Despite this, the practice of introducing prelacteal feeds to the newborn is still prevalent in many countries across the South East Asia region (6)(7)(8)(9). Prelacteal feeds include any food introduced to the newborn prior to the introduction of mother's milk within the first three days (6,8).…”