Breast feeding and maternal and child health

In recent years breast feeding has been increasingly displaced by artificial feeding, both in developed and developing countries. A number of authorities have expressed concern over this changing pattern of infant nutrition, since it is felt that artificial feeding constitutes a health hazard. However, the problems are complex, and in order to maintain a balanced perspective, it is necessary to consider the factors underlying the change in infant feeding practices, the medical advantages of breast milk compared with artificial substitutes, the demands of lactation on the nutritional reserves of nursing mothers, and the need for postpartum contraception. In a brief review, one cannot do justice to all these broad issues. This account is merely a summary of the main points.