Breastfeeding in South Africa: Social and cultural aspects and strategies for promotion

Abstract

Every week from 5-10 new scientific papers on the topic of breast-feeding are published (Jelliffe. 1983). Many of these emphasise the advantages of human milk over modified cow’s milk. The increasing evidence highlights the nutritional advantages, the immunological benefits, the enhanced bonding between mother and infant, and the child-spacing advantages of breast-feeding. In developing countries these advantages can prove to be lifesaving.