Prelacteal feeding and its relationship with exclusive breastfeeding and formula consumption among infants in low- and middle-income countries.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Early feeding practices are important determinants of optimal feeding patterns later in life. We aimed to investigate if giving any fluids or foods other than breast milk during the first three days after birth (prelacteal feeds) affects exclusive breastfeeding and consumption of formula among children under six months of age in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from 85 nationally representative Demographic Health Surveys (DHS) and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) in LMICs (2010-2019). We considered three exposures: any prelacteal feeding (PLF), milk-based only prelacteal feeding (MLK), and water-based only prelacteal feeding (WTR), according to the DHS/MICS definition. The outcomes were

SUBMITTER: Neves PA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9789363 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature