The choice of supplement for Malaysian infants, 1950–1977

This article examines trends in the timing of introduction of breast milk substitutes or weaning foods into the diets of infants in Peninsular Malaysia during 1950–77, using recall data from a multi‐round household survey. By the 1970s, most infants, even those still breastfed, received supplements on a daily basis beginning in the first month of life. During the same period, powdered infant milks replaced condensed milk as the most popular first food. Malaysia's ethnic groups differ in their supplementation practices: sweetened condensed milk is used most commonly by Malaysian Chinese, and bottled tonics by Malaysians of Indian ancestry. A multinomial logistic analysis shows that family income has little effect on the choice of breastmilk substitute, while increased education of the mother, urban residence, and birth in a hospital or clinic all make early use of formula more likely.

Key words:

• weaning foods
• infant feeding
• Malaysia
• breastmilk substitutes
• infant formula
• supplementary foods