The Status and Conditions Of Infant Nutrition With Human Milk In The Region Of Ankara

Abstract

Human milk, byıits appropriateness to the digestive system of the newbom and its protective elements against diseases, is by it<< nature the cleanest, the most nutritive and the most adequate food for the infant. The breast - feeding practices of 450 healthy mothers living in different districts in and around the city of Ankara has been studied by a survey covering the data related to (a) the social, economic and cultural conditions of the family, (b) the baby and its feeding, (c) the thoughts of the mother concerning the value of the breast - feeding. The trend towards a shorter termed breast - feeding, an earlier practice of supplementary food and artificial food has been observed ra th e r amongst well - educated mothers. The region where the family lives affects also this behaviour. The fact th a t mothers generally do believe in the importance of the breast - feeding, though city dwelling mothers breast - feed their infant only during one two months, has also been observed. The breast - feeding preferences of the families newly established in peripheral poor areas of the city are closer to that of the urbar families, parallely to the disappearence of the traditional family life in these regions. The usefulness of a campaign about the importance of breast - feeding and the necessity of promoting social assistance and protective legislation for motherhood have been put forvvard as final recommendations.