Infant feeding in Asian countries
ABSTRACT The nutrition of infant and children is assumed a new significance taday with the realization that the feeding of this age group may have a marked influence on its health as adults.Breastfeeding had a long traditional history in all Asian countries. The mother were breastfeeding until about 18-24 months post partum or recognized next pregnancy. The wet nurses became relatively popular among economically advantaged women. The introduction of supplementary foods in addition to brest milks, occasionally or daily, varied from country to country. In China,Indonesia and Thailand it started very early within the first week of life before the full production of breast milk. After the World War II the prevalence of breastfeeding was decreased and rarely continued in the urban community. They were substiuted by milk formula (including sweetened condensed milk) and cereal. In the rural community the breastfeeding practice does exist. The incidence of malnutrition in the preshool child is varied from 20 to 60 percent, except in Japan and Singapore. This is due to the under-nourished mother low socioeconomic status, ignorance, taboo, and the marketing and distribution of breast-milk substitutes. The role of health worker and health services generally in influencing infant feeding practive can be consistently in favor of sound practices and provide support to mothers. The problem for the health care provider is to adpopt a course of action that balances the potential hazards of recommending chandes in human behavior that may have no benefit and, emotional or, social health.