Martinez G A, Nalezienski J P
Pediatrics. 1979 Nov;64(5):686-92.
This study presents results of surveys conducted on a continuous basis over a period of years to determine the trend in the incidence of breast-feeding. Questionnaires were mailed to large samples of mothers, representative of the national distribution of births, asking them what type of milk they fed their infants over a period of time. Demographic characteristics of mothers who breast-fed were also obtained. From 1955 to 1971, there was a progressive decline in breast-feeding, followed by a resurgence in its incidence through 1978. Not only are more mothers breast-feeding, more are continuing to do so for a longer period of time throughout the months of their infants' most rapid growth and high nutritional requirements. It is also apparent that the increased incidence of breast-feeding has not been limited to higher income, better educated mothers. From 1971 to 1978, the incidence at two months postpartum more than doubled among mothers in lower-income families. The incidence of breast-feeding almost tripled among mothers whose education did not extend beyond elementary or high school and among those attending public clinics.
本研究展示了多年来持续进行的调查结果，以确定母乳喂养发生率的趋势。问卷被邮寄给大量具有全国出生人口代表性的母亲样本，询问她们在一段时间内用何种类型的乳汁喂养婴儿。同时还获取了进行母乳喂养的母亲的人口统计学特征。从1955年到1971年，母乳喂养呈逐渐下降趋势，随后到1978年其发生率又有所回升。不仅有更多的母亲进行母乳喂养，而且在婴儿生长最迅速、营养需求最高的几个月里，更多母亲持续母乳喂养的时间更长。同样明显的是，母乳喂养发生率的增加并不局限于高收入、受过良好教育的母亲。从1971年到1978年，低收入家庭的母亲产后两个月时的母乳喂养发生率增加了一倍多。在未接受过小学或高中以上教育的母亲以及在公共诊所就诊的母亲中，母乳喂养发生率几乎增加了两倍。
