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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.

SummaryIn a retrospective study, the impact of breast-feeding on the survival probabilities of children born to women in hospitals in Cairo, Egypt, is estimated. The analysis shows that early cessation of breastfeeding is associated with higher mortality and the effects are more severe the lower the education level of the mother.

The population of Africa is roughly estimated to be 300,000,000 and believed to be growing at a very high rate, perhaps as much as 3 percent per annum. If these figures are accurate, Africa will have a population of over one-half billion by the year 2000. In light of this prospect, a question asked more from desperation than curiosity is whether these millions can all be fed, at least enough to avert mass starvation and pandemic malnutrition. Paul Ehrlich and others have argued it is not possible. "The battle to feed all of humanity is over. In the 1970's the world will undergo famine, hundreds of millions of people are going to starve to death."