The Practice and Determinants of Prelacteal Feeding Among Mothers Patronising a Private Hospital

Abstract

Background: A prelacteal feed is any food except mother's breast milk fed to a newborn infant prior to the establishment of lactation. Prelacteal feeding is a major barrier to exclusive breastfeeding. Little is known about the factors associated with prelacteal feeding of among mothers attending private health facilities. Objective: To describe prelacteal feeding practices and factors influencing these practices among women attending a private health facility in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: One hundred and two mothers were surveyed using a questionnaire shortly after delivery. Results: The overall prevalence rate of prelacteal feeding was 33.3%. Maternal age 21 – 30 years, no previous birth and high socioeconomic class were factors associated with high rate of prelacteal feeding. The most frequent reason for prelacteal feeding was perceived initial delay in breast milk flow presumed not enough for the infant. Conclusion: The problem of prelacteal feeding is common among women attending a private health facility in Lagos.

Keywords

• colostrum
• breastfeeding
• pre-lacteal
• private health facility