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  • Title: Breast feeding in technically developing regions (with especial reference to West Bengal).
    Author: Jelliffe DB.
    Journal: Courrier; 1956 Apr; 6(4):191-5. PubMed ID: 12278948.
    Abstract:
    A study of infant feeding trends was undertaken in India--among urban and rural, upper and lower socioeconomic class women. Breast feeding was found to have been successful at 1 month and at 6 months among 155 lower income Bengali village women. 99% of lower income urban women were successfully breast feeding at 1 month and 95% were continuing at 6 months. These rates are remarkably high given the fact that these women suffered from malnutrition and illness. Among low income lactating women, there was a drop from the birth weight during the 2nd and 3rd days, with weight gain beginning after the 3rd day. This compares with results in Western countries. However, the weight loss was less pronounced among the Bengali neonates and the subsequent weight regain more rapid, due probably to the mothers' complete acceptance of breast feeding, ease at establishing lactation, and abundance of milk secreted. Among the lower socioeconomic groups, there were relatively few lactation complications, e.g., cracked nipples or breast abscess. Contrastingly, the 78 upper socioeconomic women surveyed showed less successful breast feeding results, with 46% not continuing at 6 months, 13% of women citing nipple damage, and 1 with a breast abscess during the puerperium. Some experts have theorized that the development of mammary complications derives from a failure of the let-down reflex. Maternal attitude is seen as the most important factor in successful breast feeding.
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