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Table 4 Prelacteal feeding practice among respondents, Hawela Tula, SNNPR, 2016

From: Prelacteal feeding and associated factors among newborns in rural Sidama, south Ethiopia: a community based cross-sectional survey

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)

  1. aa mixture of crushed herbs stirred with water