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THIS IS THE STORY OF HOW HANDFUL OF ISOLATED INCIDENTS BECAME JUSTIFICATION FOR VASTLY INCREASING DEPENDENCY IN AMERICA; HOW A TRIVIAL NUMBER OF EXAMPLES STAMPEDED CONGRESS INTO A SWEEPING EXPANISION OF THE WELFARE STATE; HOW CONGRESSMEN REPEATEDLY EXAGGERATED THE EXTENT OF HUNGER IN ORDER TO JUSTIFY TRYING TO FEED EVERYBODY; AND HOW GOVERNMENT, EVEN THOUGH IT INCREASED SPENDING TWENTYFOLD, STILL COULD NOT ACHIEVE ITS ORGINAL GOALS. THIS IS ALSO THE STORY OF GOVERNMENT AT LOGGERHEADS, AS ONE PROGRAM SPENDS $18 BILLION A YEAR TO SUBSIDIZE DIETS WHILE OTHER PROGRAMS AND REGULATIONS DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO RAISE FOOD PRICES, IN EFFECT PREVENTING THE POOR FROM GETTING ADEQUATE NITRITION AS CHEAPLY AS POSSIBLE.

Breast- Feeding Patterns is the title of a 1982 publication by the WHO/EMRO, prepared by Dr. J.K. Harfouche, M.D., Professor Emeritus of Maternal and Child Health at the American University of Beirut.

We have heard a lot about the promotion of sales of baby food, but we have never analysed the population's readiness to accept such foods, and how that acceptance comes about. Nor have we analysed the role of the doctors or the health professionals. What is it or what should it be ?About a year ago we carried out a study in London on the intention to breast-feed and the success of mothers in breast-feeding (Liebrich & Morley, 1976), at the same time analysing the attitudes of the staff attending these mothers, who should have helped the latter in their breast-feeding. Table 1 shows a trend in the answers given by women who intend to breast-feed disagreeing with such statements as 'Nowadays it is no longer necessary to put up with the mess of breast-feeding when easily prepared milks are available' and agreement (among the same group of mothers) with such statements as: 'Breast milk is the best food for a baby under four months'.

SummaryTo determine patterns of infant feeding and influencing factors, 131 women, interested in breast-feeding and giving birth in one hospital in British Columbia, Canada, were followed for 6 months post-partum. Data were collected from hospital records and each participant completed mail-in questionnaires when their babies were 1, 3 and 6 months old. At 6 months 3·9% were exclusively breast-feeding, 26·5% were feeding their infants breast-milk and semi-solids and 26·5% were combining breast-feeding with formula and/or semi-solids. Over 50% discontinued breast-feeding before their stated intentions. Most women had chosen to breast-feed because of benefits to the baby, and most gave up breastfeeding because of perceived insufficient milk.

Arguing that increased attention to the problems of women farmers can help solve both urban and rural supply problems, the author addresses technological and socio-economic problems constraining the expansion of food production and marketing, and describes two situations in which the removal of specific constraints allowed women farmers to demostrate their capacity to expand their output and improve their welfare. (DSE)