Pre-Lacteal Feeding Practices: An Infraction of Nutritionally Secured and Healthy Generations

Various studies have emphasized the role of breast feeding in the prevention of wide range of infancy infections. But initiation of breast feeding is hindered by the cultural practices of Pre-Lacteal Feeding (PLF). In India this practice of giving pre-lacteal feeds cut across all the communities as it is considered to have a positive effect on child’s Gastrointestinal (GI) health and intellectual growth. However, PLF has a detrimental effect on the child’s growth and development as it delays initiation of breastfeeding and prevents initial bonding between the mother and the baby. Evidently Infants who receive PLF are more likely to be malnourished. In Karaikal, practice of PLF is very common. Hence it becomes imperative to assess the prevalence of PLF practices. The objectives of the study included assessment of PLF practices, types of PLF and delineate the factors associated with same among the working lactating mothers. Locale of the study was Karaikal, Puducherry. A sample size of 427 lactating working mothers using non-probable purposive sampling (0-12months) was chosen. To elicit information a pre-designed, pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire was used. The data obtained was statistically analysed and showed prevalence of PLF practices among 47% of the mothers. 29% of the mothers gave sugar water to the newborns. Other PLFs included omam water (carom seeds), cow’s milk, plain water, religious water, jaggery with honey, castor oil, mashed dates, mercury etc. 31% mothers cited traditional cultural practice running through generations as the reason behind giving pre-lacteal feedings, whereas other reasons included cleansing the GI tract (14%) and better suckling reflex (22%) etc. It may be concluded that PLF practices are one of the many faulty feeding practices prevalent in Karaikal, which are a major infraction of optimum growth and development. Hence there is an emergent need to educate mothers regarding ill effects of pre lacteal feeding along with benefits of colostrum, early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding which can reduce the chances of morbidity and mortality in infants and may thus lay foundation for nutritionally secured and healthy generations.