A Descriptive Study to Assess Knowledge and Attitude Towards Colostrum Feeding for Newborns among Third Trimester Antenatal Mothers At KMCT Women and Child Hospital, Manassery, Kozhikode

Colostrum feeding is an important component of early newborn nutrition and is associated with protection against infection and support for neonatal health. The present descriptive study was conducted to assess the level of knowledge and attitude regarding colostrum feeding among third trimester antenatal mothers at KMCT Women and Child Hospital, Manassery, Kozhikode. The objectives were to assess knowledge, assess attitude, and determine the association between knowledge and selected demographic variables. A quantitative descriptive research design was used. Sixty third trimester antenatal mothers attending the antenatal OPD and wards were selected by non-probability convenience sampling. Data were collected using a demographic proforma, a self-structured knowledge questionnaire and a Likert scale for attitude. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson chi-square test. The findings showed that 50 (83.33%) mothers had adequate knowledge, 8 (13.33%) had moderate knowledge and 2 (3.33%) had inadequate knowledge. Regarding attitude, 40 (66.66%) had a positive attitude, 12 (20%) had a neutral attitude and 8 (13.33%) had a negative attitude. The study reported significant associations between knowledge level and educational status, occupational status, parity, number of living children, history of previous breastfeeding, source of previous information and antenatal clinics attended. No significant association was reported for age, religion, family type, monthly income or area of residence. The findings highlight the importance of continued antenatal education and nursing support to promote appropriate colostrum feeding practices.

Knowledge; Attitude; Colostrum feeding; Newborn; Antenatal mothers

1. Moncy Francis, Bimla Rani. A descriptive study to assess the knowledge regarding colostrum feeding and exclusive breastfeeding among antenatal mothers in Idukki. Anapublishing Private. 2021. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Padmapriya, et al. Knowledge and attitude regarding colostrum feeding among antenatal mothers: a community-based exploratory study. South Eastern European Journal of Public Health (SEEJPH). 2024. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Raju, et al. Knowledge and attitudes of nursing mothers as potential determinants of effective breastfeeding. Cureus. 2025. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Tejaswini, Balakrishna. A comparative study on knowledge regarding colostrum feeding among antenatal mothers in urban and rural areas of India. International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2021. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Roy SK, Mallick AK. Knowledge and practice of breastfeeding and complementary feeding among mothers of under one year age children. International Journal of Medical and Pharmaceutical Research. 2025;6(4):1039–1042. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Asaro TB, Gutema BT, Weldehawaryat HN. Colostrum avoidance practice and associated factors among mothers of infants less than six months in Chencha District: cross-sectional study. BMC Nutrition. 2023;9(1):18. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Agbokou A, Compaoré WRE, Traoré S, Ouédraogo O, Ouattara A, et al. Knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers of children aged 6 to 12 months on breastfeeding in the province of Sissili in Burkina Faso. BMC Nutrition. 2025;11:1–11. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Baugh M. Breastfeeding practices and the use of colostrum in Eastern Nepal [dissertation]. 2018. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Joseph A, et al. Attitude towards breastfeeding among antenatal mothers. International Journal of Maternal and Pediatric Nursing. 2023. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Tejaswini, Balakrishna. A comparative study on knowledge regarding colostrum feeding among antenatal mothers in urban and rural areas of India. International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2021;10(6):2263–2267. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. George A, et al. Knowledge, attitude and practice of breastfeeding among mothers in a rural area of Thrissur district. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health. 2022;9(3). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Sharma S. Knowledge and attitude of primigravida mothers regarding colostrum feeding. The International Medicine. 2023. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Padmapriya D, Mahalakshmi M, Manisha V, Manju S, Suganya M, Hemavathi R, Sridevi B. Knowledge and attitude level of antenatal mothers on colostrum feeding: a community-based exploratory study. South Eastern European Journal of Public Health. 2024;25(S1):2431–2436. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Khan A, et al. Attitude towards colostrum feeding among mothers. International Journal of Health and Psychology. 2025. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Shahid M, Wasqa TW, Saleem M, Kainat A, Zubair K. Assess the level of knowledge, attitude and practice among mothers about colostrum feeding. International Journal of Healthcare Professions. 2025;2(1):13–18. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Wassie YA, Ayalew AF, Belay YA. Colostrum feeding practice and associated factors among mothers having children less than 24 months of age in Ethiopia. International Breastfeeding Journal. 2019;14:1–8. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Joseph A, et al. Breastfeeding practices and factors influencing them among antenatal mothers in Wayanad, Kerala. International Journal of Maternal and Pediatric Nursing. 2023. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Tzani A, Xixi NA, Sokou R, Karapati E, Iliodromiti Z, Volaki P, Paliatsiou S, Iacovidou N, Boutsikou T. Factors influencing the colostrum’s microbiota: a systematic review of the literature. Children (Basel). 2025;12(10):1336. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Mohammed A, et al. Colostrum avoidance and associated factors among postnatal mothers in Ethiopia. BMC Public Health. 2025. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Wang Y, et al. Perinatal factors influencing infant feeding practices among mothers in China: a cross-sectional study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2024;24:6711. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]