A History of Breast-Feeding Practices in the English-Speaking Caribbean in the Twentieth Century

Abstract

This article traces the history of breastfeeding practices in the English-speaking Caribbean since 1900 with particular emphasis on cultural attitudes. A pattern of early weaning and supplementation with milk bush teas carbohydrate gruels and condensed milk was widely practiced in the early part of the 20th century and reflected womens work patterns. Malnutrition morbidity and infant death due to early weaning and suplementation with poor and unsanitary diets had gained recognition as serious health problems by 1925 however. In the years following World War II the production and promotion of infant formula led again to a shift toward earlier weaning and suplementation in turn producing increased incidence of marasmic infantile malnutrition. At present a majority of Caribbean mothers are breastfeeding at 3 months although they are giving a wide range of supplementary milks teas juices and paps. The causes of the recent decline in the prevalence of breastfeeding are a combination of womens activity patterns access to substitute feeding and perceptions of desirable feeding methods. Feeding practices have been associated historically with adaptations to material conditions that encourage separation of working mothers and infants. This observation underscores the need to understand breastfeeding practices within the context of womens lives specifically the social structures of underdevelopment. Nutrition policies that affect these structures in ways that enhance womens opportunities and desire to breastfeed should be the goal.