Working while breast feeding among coloured women.

The influence of a wide variety of factors on infants' feeding patterns has frequently been reported. Of growing interest is the role played by economic issues in determining the duration of breast feeding. The present study describes the attitudes toward, beliefs about, and practices in relation to working while breast feeding amongst 220 'Coloured' (of mixed ethnic origin) women. Breast feeding rates are initially high but drop rapidly about the time mothers return to work. Approximately two-thirds of the women studied returned to work in the post partum period. Most report that breast feeding and working are incompatible.