Article on BFing in Africa

Just happened to be cataloging some articles from the "American Journal
of Public Health" at work today, and ran across an interesting article
on 'early weaning' in Senegal. The study looked at some 12,000 children
in an area of rural Senegal born between 1989-1997.

Now, the study didn't say what percentage of babies in the area were
BF, since it was only concerend with babies who were, but earlier in
the article it said that rates in West Africa in general run around
95%. However, of the babies who initiated breastfeeding, the average
weaning age was 23.7 months. Only 4.4% were weaned before 18 month and
'early weaning', considered to be before 15 months ... under 1%! Of
the babies weaned 'early', almost half were weaned due to the death of
the mother. And only one (not 1%, ONE baby) was weaned early due to
lack of milk. Other 'common' reasons for early weaning included a new
pregnancy, the mother needing to leave town for work, leaving baby
behind, or serious illness in mother or baby.

Does make one wonder a bit about all these healthy, well-nourished
western women who HAVE to wean because they don't have enough/any milk,
or because baby weaned himself.

Does make one wonder a bit about all these healthy, well-nourished
western women who HAVE to wean because they don't have enough/any milk,
or because baby weaned himself.

the combined pill probably has a lot to answer for here

similarly the availability of substitutes, if DH gave Ada cows milk in a
cup, she would drink it and then probably not ask for a breastfeed, I
wouldn't be refusing to feed her, so we'd probably say she weaned herself.
She also drinks a ton of water, if safe water wasn't available, she be on
the breast a whole lot more.

Anne