Breast-feeding practices in a private maternity hospital

An interview questionnaire study of 51 breast-feeding mothers was conducted to assess the stated policy of breast-feeding promotion in a private maternity hospital. A mean period of 20.6 hours elapsed after delivery before initiation of breast-feeding, and 39.9 hours elapsed before rooming-in took place. At least 47.1% of babies received prelacteal feeds, 94.1% were routinely test-weighed, and 56.9% received complementary feeds. A patient-administered questionnaire is proposed to provide hospital management and attendant medical practitioners with essential feedback that could assist them to close the gap between policy and practice.