The incidence of breast feeding in a suburban metropolitan area

Abstract

Summary 1. The superiority of breast feeding is admitted. Disparagement of substitute feeding is a mistake, however. 2. The incidence of breast feeding in 437 mothers is presented. The figures show not only a low percentage of breast feeding during the first month, but a reduction of the percentage in an approximate ratio of one-half, one-third, one-fourth, in succeeding three-month periods. 3. A scoring system for nursing mothers is presented. 4. Age and parity seem to be unimportant factors. Other factors are discussed. 5. Comparison with the findings of others shows no cause for pride in the original series presented.