Labour Migration and Duration of Breastfeeding in Lesotho

Abstract

This study investigates the differences in the duration of breastfeeding between wives of labour migrants and those of non-labour migrants. The data used in the study are obtained from the Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey carried out between September 1991 and April 1992. The survey was a national representative sample covering both urban and rural households. Duration of breastfeeding between wives of labour migrants and those of wives of non-labour migrants were compared. Wives of labour migrants were found to breastfeed their children longer than their counterparts who are married to men who were not labour migrants at the time of the Lesotho 1991 Demographic and Health Survey by at least one month. This was the case regardless of the characteristics of the women. Although the differences in the duration of breastfeeding are generally marginal, they are statistically significant in most cases. The results of the study suggest that labour migration might not be as effective as it was in the past as a determinant of duration of breastfeeding in Lesotho. Frequency of home visits among labour migrants as well as the decline in the employment of Basotho in the mining industry of South Africa might be reducing the effectiveness of labour migration as a determinant of duration of breastfeeding in Lesotho. Policy implication of this finding is that reduction of the population growth rate as envisaged in the population plan might not be realised. Infant mortality is also likely to increase due to short birth intervals resulting from declining duration of breastfeeding. Efforts need to be made to encourage more couples to use family planning services by bringing services nearer to the people as well as providing counselling for correct choice of method and providing a wide range of methods for couples to choose from. Review of Southern African Studies Volume 3 No. 2 December 1999, pp. 19-36