Some reflections on infant nutrition - a world-wide problem

Summary

The progressive decline in the incidence of breastfeeding has been world-wide, affecting both developed and developing countries. Concern has arisen because of the implications of this change in the pattern of infant feeding. Lack of education appears to be a major cause and there is evidence that enthusiastic re-education of parents will increase the incidence of breastfeeding in some countries. A consequence of the present situation is the need to provide in all countries an adequate and safe artificial feeding programme, free from the already described risks associated with phosphate, sodium and osmolar differences between cow's milk based formulae and breast milk.

Key Words::

• Infant nutrition
• breastfeeding
• infant mortality
• infant food