Breast Feeding Outcome; Effect of Prelacteal Feeding: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

To determine the prevalence of prelacteal feeding among mothers of Pakistan and to find out the various concepts behind this practice and fundamentally to establish the association of prelacteal feeding with breastfeeding outcomes. Background: In Pakistan, many efforts have been done to emphasize the nutritional importance and adequacy of breast milk for the newborns. Despite such efforts, it has been witnessed on multiple occasions that prior to the commencement of breastfeeding, prelacteal feeds are introduced by the mothers to their young ones. Prelacteal feed (PLF) are food supplements that are given to newborns orally. Design: Qualitative, descriptive, cross sectional Survey. Setting: The Lady Dufferin Hospital (LDH) and Jinnah Medical College hospital (JMCH). Methods: Study includes 400 Mothers including young mothers and data was collected with use of a pre-assessed authenticated questionnaire. Results: A large group of, both educated and uneducated, mothers knew about PLF administration (90.5%). Out of these, 70% mothers routinely give prelacteal feeds, with readymade ghutti and honey being the most widely used supplements, 19.5% and 37.2% respectively .However their reasons for doing so differed significantly. Family tradition (27.8%) and religious credence (21.8%) are the most popular reasons for practicing prelacteal feeding. The other minor reasons are breast milk insufficiency, prevention of dehydration, hypoglycaemia, preparation of the gastrointestinal tract for digestion and to quench thirst. However, majority of the subjects were aware of the benefits of breastfeeding and 99% mothers breastfed their children. Conclusions: Regardless of the fact that mothers understand the significance of breast milk, most mothers routinely and unnecessarily give prelacteal feeds. Therefore, mothers should be discouraged for the unsafely administration of prelacteal feeds and re-emphasized about the importance and nutritional adequecy of breastfeeding.

Retracted Article: Neonatal Hypoglycemia: Oral Dextrose Gel and Tahneek Practice

“…Additional reasons include promotion of rapid growth, keeping the mouth and throat moist, and soothing the baby until the true milk arrives. 26 It has been noted in the literature that tahneek can also be performed by using honey. 22,29,31 However, the use of honey in tahneek did not originate within Islamic jurisprudence.…”

“…[22][23][24][25][26][27] Tahneek is usually performed by religious figures or pious people or an esteemed member of the family or parents in the hope that some of his/her positive attributes will be transmitted to the fledgling infant. [26][27][28][29][30][31][32] However, anyone can do this, following it with dua (supplication) for the child, according to the example of the Prophet (SAW), who chewed dates to soften them before feeding. 33 It is aimed with tahneek application that the child is healthy in terms of soul and body.…”