Decline of Breast-Feeding among New York Urban Poor Linked to Sources of Information on Infant-Feeding Practices: A Lesson for African Countries.

Abstract

Summary: Using a structured interview schedule, the relationship betwcer insant-fccding practices and sources of information on infant-feeding was evaluated in two matched groups of breast-feeding and non-breast-feeding mothers of low socio-economic status in New York City, USA. It was found that non-breast-feeders received significantly more information (p<0.01) from the baby-food industry, physicians and nurses, than breast-feeding mothers. By contrast, breast-feeders reccived significantly more information (p<0.03) from relatives, friends and organisations that promote breast-fccding than did the non breast-feeders. Over 80% of educational materials on infant feeding, supplied freely to mothers attending ante-and post-natal clinics, were produced by diffcrent infant food industries compared to only 17% of such materials produced by the professionals; the materials produced by infant-food industries were essentially promotional of the respective company's products with a high potential for discouraging bicast-fecding, It is suggested that health workers in developing countries should produce and ultilize educational materials on infant-feeding practices relevant to their respective communities instead of relying on the supply of these mater ials by baby-food manufacturers.