Table 4.
Prelacteal feeding practice among respondents, Hawela Tula, SNNPR, 2016
| Variable | Frequency (%) |
|---|---|
| Did you give any food/fluid to your newborn before the initiation of breastfeeding or in the first three days of birth? | |
| Yes | 152 (25.5) |
| No | 445 (74.5) |
| Type of prelacteal food given to newborn | |
| Boiled water | 56 (36.8) |
| Fresh butter | 49 (32.2) |
| Amessaa | 28 (18.4) |
| Honey | 17 (11.2) |
| Formula milk | 2 (1.3) |
| Primary reason for practicing prelacteal feeding (n = 152) | |
| Perception that it is good for the newborn’s health | 87 (57.2) |
| Perception that the first breast milk is not good for the newborn | 45 (29.6) |
| Mother was feeling unwell | 11 (7.2%) |
| Delayed breast milk production | 5 (3.3) |
| Infant perceived unwell after birth | 4 (2.6) |
aa mixture of crushed herbs stirred with water