Breast feeding practice of the hillside people of Thailand and its effect on the growth of their offspring.
Based on measurement of weight, height, head circumference, arm muscle and fat area, it seems that hilltribe infants in the first year of life can achieve a maximum growth potential similar to the general international standard of reference when they are on a total breast feeding regime. Theoretical calculations suggest that the undernourished hilltribe mothers may have a high capacity to lactate, especially in the first-year postpartum. Thus the practice of total breast feeding should be preserved and encouraged in every possible way. Also the infant should receive dietary supplements as he approaches the end of the first year.
D000886:Anthropometry; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm; D006257:Head; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007774:Lactation; D011247:Pregnancy; D013785:Thailand