Breast feeding habits and cultural contest (a study of three Ethiopian communities).

Abstract

Breast feeding habits in 3 rural Ethiopian communities representing major ethnic and socioeconomic areas were studied. Differences between all 3 were statistically significant (p<.001). In 1 a strongly traditional society 92% of the children received breast milk for than one year. In an economically changing community 61% of the babies were fed with breast milk for more than a year. The third community a traditional one ritually weaned children early; boys later than girls. Only 11% of the children were breast fed for a year. This was done to increase fertility in the mother.