Perception and practices of mothers about feeding practices of newborn babies in Faisalabad, Pakistan

Annually four million neonatal deaths occur around the globe, approximately three-quarters die within the first week of life. Two-thirds of the world's neonatal deaths occur in just 10 countries, mostly in Asia. Pakistan is at number three among these countries. A reported neonatal mortality rate of 49 per 1000 live births, Pakistan accounts for 7% of global neonatal deaths. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 200 mothers having at least one child less than 15 month of age was selected by multistage sampling technique. The objectives of study were to explore traditional neonatal rearing beliefs and tradition feeding practices to neonate in industrial district Faisalabad, Pakistan. Data was collected on pre-designed questionnaire and analyzed by descriptive statistics. It was found that 83.5% mothers breastfed and only 37% exclusive breastfed their youngest child. A majority of the respondents 89% agreed that baby should be breastfed after immediate of birth. It is also found that 72.5% respondents agreed that pre- lectal (ghutti) is necessary practice for child after firth and 51% respondents were in the opinion that ghutti (Pre-lacteal) is necessary to transfer the characteristics of the feeders in child. It is concluded that mothers and families should be motivated to avoid the cultural practices during newborn nourishment. There should be need the active involvement of print and electronic media and seminars to convincing the care takers for optimum breast feeding practices at gross root level.