Infant feeding practices in South Africa. An appraisal of their significance to health.

During the last half century, in most Western populations, including Whites in South Africa, there has been a very marked fall in frequency and duration of breast feeding. The same trend is also being observed in South African Blacks, Indians and Coloureds. For White infants, bottle feeding is responsible for significantly enhanced morbidity. For the other populations mentioned, bottle feeding, compared with breast feeding, is associated with considerably enhanced morbidity and mortality. Reasons for the decline in breast feeding are discussed, as well as the attempts made at remedial measures. An urgent statement by paediatricians, which should provide guidance to be given at hospital, clinic and home on the benefits of breast feeding, the correct preparation of commendable bottle feeds, and also the appropriate time for introduction of solid foods, should be issued with the maximum of publicity.