IMPORTANCE OF AVOIDING PRELACTEAL FEEDS

 

🍼 Why Pre-lacteal Feeds Should Be Avoided

When a baby is born, the first few hours and days are critical for their health and bonding with the mother. One common but harmful practice in many communities is giving prelacteal feeds.

❓ What Are Prelacteal Feeds?

Prelacteal feeds are any foods or liquids given to a newborn before breastfeeding is established. These include:

  • Honey

  • Sugar water

  • Gripe water

  • Plain water

  • Formula milk before breastfeeding

🚫 Why Are Prelacteal Feeds Harmful?

  1. Risk of Infections
    Newborns have immature immune systems. Prelacteal feeds can introduce bacteria or viruses, leading to serious infections.

  2. Delays Breastfeeding Initiation
    Giving other feeds before breastfeeding can reduce the baby’s interest in suckling, which delays milk production.

  3. Prevents Colostrum Intake
    Colostrum (the first thick, yellowish breast milk) is rich in antibodies and acts like a baby’s first vaccine. Giving prelacteal feeds may prevent babies from getting this vital immunity boost.

  4. Causes Digestive Issues
    Non-sterile feeds can cause diarrhea, gas, or allergies in newborns.

  5. Affects Mother-Baby Bonding
    Early skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding help strengthen emotional bonding. Prelacteal feeds interfere with this natural process.

✅ What Should Parents Do Instead?

  • Begin breastfeeding within the first hour after birth.

  • Practice exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months—no water, formula, or other feeds.

  • Ensure all family members and caregivers understand the importance of avoiding prelacteal feeds.

💡 Key Takeaway

Colostrum is the baby’s first immunity. Avoid anything that comes in its way.
Say NO to prelacteal feeds. Say YES to early and exclusive breastfeeding.


                                                                                                                  -DR VIGNESH N 

                                                                                                                    PAEDIATRICIAN

                                                                                                                    THE NILGIRIS.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

  Introducing Solid Foods: When and How to Start  As parents, one of the most exciting milestones in your baby’s growth journey is introducing solid foods. In Ooty, where the climate and available produce can be a bit different from other places, knowing the right time and method for starting solids is essential. Let’s dive into the right time to begin solids and how to introduce them to your little one in this beautiful hill station. When to Start Solid Foods The World Health Organization (WHO)  recommends introducing solid foods around 6 months of age, after exclusive breastfeeding. Starting solids earlier than this might put your baby at risk for allergies and digestive issues, while waiting too long can result in nutritional gaps. Key signs your baby is ready for solids : Head control : They can sit up and hold their head steady. Curiosity : They show interest in what you're eating, or reach out for your food. Swallowing ability : They no longer push f...
Read more

ORAL REHYDRATION SOLUTION

Image
ORS is  life saving preparation that has reduced deaths due to diarrhea in the recent years .Every year JULY 29 is celebrated as ORS DAY. Low osmolarity ORS is commonly used as shown above .Benefits are as follows It decreases stool output by 25 percent . Decreases vomiting by 30 percent . Decrease need  for intravenous fluids .      HOW TO PREPARE ORS FOR CHILD  Take a single packet of ORS -mix it in 1 liter of water and give to the child in small sips as and when required to prevent dehydration . ORS prepared should not be used for more than 24 hours.It should be discarded.            COMMON CAUSES OF DEHYDRATION High grade fever  Vomiting  loose stools -diarrhea  burns                         HOME BASED ORS              If ORS is not available at home -then the following preparation is made       ...
Read more