Ecology of breastfeeding: Approaches toward improvement of women's and children's health.

Abstract

It is well established that breastfeeding has significant benefits for infant health and plays an important role in regulating maternal fecundity. However, many questions remain regarding the mechanisms underlying these relationships and the sources of the observed variation among individuals and populations. For example, women of seemingly comparable breastfeeding magnitude and nutritional status display substantial heterogeneity in the duration of postpartum subfecundity. This variation may be related to breastfeeding structure, which in turn is the consequence of variation in ecological conditions. In addition to theoretical questions, it is essential that efforts are directed toward addressing the issues of improving women's and children's health. Women have multiple roles and obligations, including a responsibility for their own well-being as well as that of their children. Women also have a right to determine the course of action most appropriate for themselves. Under suitable conditions, breastfeeding is the best choice for the well-being of both the mother and infant; hence, provided with these conditions most women will choose to breastfeed. Working within an ecological perspective, human biologists have an opportunity to bridge the gap between theoretical and practical issues by conducting research that also contributes to the advocacy of women's and children's health. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 10:145-149, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.