Cutting W A, Ludlam M
Fam Pract. 1984 Jun;1(2):69-78. doi: 10.1093/fampra/1.2.69.
The practice of breast feeding has declined throughout the world, at first in the developed countries and now also in the developing countries. Although there is some return to breast feeding in industrialized countries, it is mostly by the privileged and better educated women. This article discusses the importance of breast feeding: protection of children from infection and allergy; increase of the interval between births; inadequate safeguards to the marketing of breast milk substitutes, particularly in developing countries. The factors which contribute to successful breast feeding are reviewed: self confidence and good emotional and social support; unscheduled and frequent feeding; education and promotion of the benefits of breast feeding, at national and local level, with health workers and lay organizations working together.
母乳喂养在全球范围内呈下降趋势，起初是在发达国家，现在发展中国家也出现了这种情况。尽管工业化国家有一些回归母乳喂养的现象，但大多是特权阶层和受教育程度较高的女性。本文讨论了母乳喂养的重要性：保护儿童免受感染和过敏；延长生育间隔；母乳代用品销售缺乏充分保障，特别是在发展中国家。文章还回顾了有助于成功进行母乳喂养的因素：自信以及良好的情感和社会支持；不定时且频繁的喂养；在国家和地方层面，通过卫生工作者和非专业组织共同努力，开展母乳喂养益处的教育和推广。
