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Table 3 Breastfeeding-related characteristics of mothers who gave birth in the last six months in Gozamen district, East Gojjam zone, North West Ethiopia, 2020 (n = 741)

From: Delayed breast feeding initiation increases the odds of colostrum avoidance among mothers in Northwest Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

Variables

Category

Frequency(n)

Percent (%)

Colostrum avoidance (n = 741

Yes

164

22.1

No

577

77.9

Reasons for colostrum avoidance (n = 164)

Causes abdominal cramp and diarrhea

42

25.6

Dirty

38

23.2

 

Cultural practice

25

15.2

Maternal medical illness

13

7.9

My breast has no milk

14

8.5

Not good for child growth

5

3

Infant not feed

9

5.5

Influence by others

12

7.3

Others*

6

3.8

Prelacteal feeding (n = 741)

Yes

127

17.1

No

614

82.9

Types of prelacteal feeding (n = 127)

Butter

103

81.1

Milk

19

15

Water

5

3.9

Reasons for prelacteal feeding (n = 127)

Breast milk causes thirsty

3

2.4

Good for child growth

9

7.1

Breastfeeding problem

17

13.4

Maternal medical illness

18

14.2

Cultural practices

22

17.3

To calm baby

7

5.5

To clean bowel and throat

44

34.6

Others**

7

5.5

Time of initiation of breastfeeding (n = 741)

More than 1 h

290

39.1

Within 1 h

451

60.9

BF counseling on timely initiation

No

293

39.5

Yes

448

60.5

  1. Key: Others* = causes heart disease and constipation
  2. Others** = to prevent constipation, belief BF is not enough