Prelacteal feeding practices among lactating mothers in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding is the cornerstone of adequate early infant nutrition. Despite the acknowledged gains of Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) and other interventional measures in ensuring optimal infant nutrition, it is still a common practice for newborn babies to be givensubstances other than breast milk within the first day of life.Methods: To re-examine why this is so, a prospective, cross-sectionalstudy involving mothers with recent history of lactation was carried. Itinvolved 403 mothers attending the well Baby Clinic of the Universityof Benin Teaching Hospital in 2009. A semi structured questionnairewas used in obtaining relevant information on pre-lacteal feeding.Results: The prevalence of prelacteal feeding was 11.7%. Wateronly constituted the most common (44.3%) pre-lacteal feed. Otherfeeds administered included glucose drink, (37.2%), and honey (4.6%).The reasons for pre-lacteal feeding included perceived delayed lactationand the need to keep the body warm and mouth moist. The younger the respondents, the more likely she would practice pre-lacteal feeding (X2 = 11.4; p = 0.022). Also significantly associated with pre-lacteal feeding is the route of delivery. Pre-lacteal feeding was commoner with surgical deliveries (X2 = 7.0; p = 0.05). Pre-lacteal feeding was however un-associated with respondents’ tribe, educational status, religion and place of delivery. Pre-lacteal feeding remains a challenge to adequate infant nutrition.Conclusion/Recommendations: There is need for further enlightenmenton the dangers inherent in the practice. Education of the populacewould need to be improved upon if the initial gains accruing fromBFHI are not to be reversed.Key words: Pre-lacteal feeding Infant, Nutrition, Benin City.