Pre lacteal feeding practice among mothers in a rural area of Karnataka: a cross sectional study

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONColostrum, the early breast milk plays a vital role in boosting the immunity of a newborn.1,2 It also helps in building the precious bond between the mother and the child. Apart from the duration of breast feeding and the time at which a child is weaned, the time of initiation of breast feeding also plays a crucial role in determining the health of child. 3In many countries across the world, the practice of giving new born babies substances other than breast milk is a common cultural practice. 4 When the babies are given such fluids, even before lactation has been initiated, it is called pre-lacteal feeding, and the fluids are called prelacteal feeds. 5 Studies have shown that the effects of prelacteal feeding in babies range from lactation failure, shortening of the duration of breast feeding due to the incidence of diarrhoea. 6 ABSTRACT Background: In many countries across the world, the practice of giving new born babies other substances (pre lacteal feeding) even before lactation is a common cultural practice. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of pre lacteal feeding practice among mothers and to identify the factors leading to pre lacteal feeding. Methods: A community based, cross sectional study was conducted among 206 mothers of infants and children younger than 24 months, residing in a rural area of Karnataka. Data regarding pre lacteal feeding practice, type of pre lacteal feed given, reasons for giving pre lacteal feed was collected using a predesigned questionnaire prepared in local language. Institutional ethical committee approval, informed consent from the study participants was taken and anonymity, confidentiality was ensured. Results: Out of 206 study participants, 66 (32.03%) had given pre lacteal feeds to their newborn, while 140 (67.97%) had not given pre lacteal feeds to their newborn. Pre lacteal feeding practice was more among mothers who were illiterates, who belonged to lower socio economic status. This difference in prevalence of pre lacteal feeding practice was found to be statistically significant. Honey, sugar water, religious water, coconut water, jaggery are the different types of pre lacteal feeds given. Customs, insisted by relatives, development of speech, helps in digestion, cleanses digestive system were the reported reasons for giving pre lacteal feeds. Conclusions: Socio demographic factors like education, socio economic status influence pre lacteal feeding practice. Through IEC (Information, education communication) activities awareness regarding ill effects of pre lacteal feeding practice should be created among mothers.

Pre-lacteal feeding practices and associated factors among mothers of children aged less than 12 months in Jinka Town, South Ethiopia, 2018/19

“…Also, a study conducted in eastern Ethiopia was facility-based it is assumed that mothers with good educational status have a high chance of visiting health centers. The finding of this study is also lower than studies carried out in Nepal 26.5%, Vietnam 73.3%, Karnakata, India 32.03%, Egypt 58%, Kampala, Uganda 31.3%, and South Sudan 53% [ 4 , 5 , 19 , 36 – 38 ]. This difference could be due to the difference in maternal health service utilization between study populations.…”

“…Pre-lacteal food has a great impact on the newborns' mental health, physical development, and fighting against infections [18]. Besides, this feeding process reduces the practice of exclusive breastfeeding, which can be dangerous to the child and results in early cessation of breastfeeding [19]. It is also associated with a more likely chance of dying in the neonatal period [12].…”

Study on knowledge, attitude and practice about breast feeding and complementary feeding among the mothers attending health camp

“…In the present study, sugar water and honey were commonly given as prelactial feeds. Similar findings were found in studies conducted by Srividya et al, Yadavannar et al and Goyle et al 12,16,17 In present study 62.8% of mothers had given colostrum to their babies whereas 35.5% of mothers had discarded colostrum the findings were similar to the study conducted by Davara et al where 68.5% of mothers had given colostrum to their infants. 18 16.5% of mothers in present study were using the bottle to feed their children these findings were comparable (13.3%) to the study conducted by Varshney et al 19 At 6 months of age, energy and nutrient requirement of the child increases which cannot be fulfilled only by breast milk, thus introduction of complementary foods are mandatory to meet the energy requirement of a growing child and if complementary foods are not introduced at this period of life growth of the infants may be falter.…”

“…In the present study 38.8% of children had received prelactial feeds, Similar findings were reported in studies conducted by Manasa et al, Srividya et al and Kumar et al [11][12][13] A study done by Nethra et al in the same area reported a low (18%) prevalence of pre lacteal feeding practice among mothers. 14 The probable discordance with above study may be possibly due to inclusion of rural and urban mothers in our study A study done by Saravanan et al 15 In the same region among rural mothers reported a higher (60.2%) prevalence of pre lacteal feeding practice among mothers.…”

Study of knowledge and attitude towards breastfeeding in antenatal mothers at Chamarajanagara Institute of Medical Sciences, Chamarajanagar, India

“…In our study 90% of mothers are against prelacteal feeds (Table 2) compared to only 68% are against prelacteal feeds in other district of Karnataka. 8 Mothers intend to Wean infants after 6 months is 62.9% whereas 21.2% wants to wean their infants after 3 months in our study. Whereas weaning is 86.5% after 6 months and 13.5% after 3 months in Upadhye JV et al 9 There is a estimation of 1.4million deaths and 10% of the disease burden in less than 5 years of age is found in children with sub optimal breast feeding and exclusive breast feeding less than 6 months of age.…”