Determinants of pre-lacteal feeding practices among mothers having children aged less than 36 months in Ethiopia: Evidence from 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey.

A significant proportion of Ethiopian mothers had given pre-lacteal foods to their newborn babies. Poorest wealth index, region, late initiation of breast feeding, not counseled on breast feeding, home delivery, and cesarean delivery were identified as determinants of pre-lacteal feeding. Thus, emphasis should be given to improve mothers' Infant and Young Child Feeding practice through counseling and utilization of institutional delivery. Moreover, special attention should be given to mothers from pastoralist regions and poor socio-economic status to reduce pre-lacteal feeding practice.