Breast-feeding in a socio-economically disadvantaged area of Cape Town. Part I. Analysis of breast-feeding patterns among clinic attenders.
A survey of infant-feeding practices in a socio-economically disadvantaged community in the Cape Peninsula was undertaken. By the age of 6 weeks 47,3% of the infants were receiving bottle feeds, and this had increased to 76,3% by the age of 7-12 weeks. Analysis of factors which might have influenced this pattern indicated that subjective dissatisfaction with the quantity and quality of milk dominated the mothers' reasons for stopping breast-feeding. Since contact between the local authority and mothers often took place only after breast-feeding had been discontinued, it is suggested that concentrating on education and support during the perinatal period may have a positive influence on this disturbing trend.
D000367:Age Factors; D001942:Breast Feeding; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D011204:Poverty Areas; D013019:South Africa